Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign me in 2007, says Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
Back in 2007, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy met with Jose Mourinho to offer him the job of running the North London club.
Mourinho, who had left Chelsea “by mutual consent” in September that year after a falling out with the board of directors and owner Roman Abramovich, talks about the offer he received from Spurs and why he said no.
He could not sign for Tottenham or any other English club even if he had wanted to, as he had signed a clause which prevented him from managing any club in England for two years. The Portuguese manager though claims that he would have never signed for Spurs due to the respect he had for Chelsea and its fans.
Tottenham wanted me as their manager: Mourinho
When Mourinho was asked if Tottenham had approached him back in 2007, he said: “Yes. I couldn't go. I couldn't train in England for two years.”
The Chelsea manager also said that Tottenham Hotspur were willing to pay Chelsea a compensation to drop the clause in an attempt to sign him. Mourinho though said, “I would not take the job because I love Chelsea supporters too much.”
Mourinho though claims that he would rather manage another English club if he were to leave Chelsea this time around, but he says he will leave only if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wanted him out.
“When I left the first time I had lots of countries to go to and lots of clubs to go to. In this moment when I leave I have another 19 clubs in the Premier League and 22 clubs in the Championship. So the options are not so much,” he said.
“But I repeat I am in Mr Abramovich’s hands. Until he wants me to stay, I will stay – and that is what I want.”
Chelsea take on Tottenham in the final of the Capital One Cup on Sunday night at Wembley in a bid to clinch their first piece of silverware after Mourinho came back as manager of the Blues.