José Mourinho faces media for the first time as Tottenham manager – as it happened – The Guardian, Google News

Here is what Mourinho said during his press conference …

Mourinho on Pochettino:

• The Portuguese dedicated the start of the press conference to his predecessor, praising Pochettino for the work he did to build Spurs up to where they are today, pointedly saying he does not plan any big changes.
• Mourinho believes the break since being sacked by Manchester United boss has done him good and feels, saying “I am stronger, I am relaxed, I am motivated”. He looked pretty positive both in terms of his lilac jumper and general demeanor as he faced the press, putting great emphasis on how humble he is as a person.
• Spurs can win the Premier League next season, Mourinho says.
• There are no big plans to make signings in the January window .

Peter Oh emails:“Funny, the thought of José spending the night at the training ground. But seriously, which hotel will he move into? ”

People have gone on how he’ll be happier being back in London where he lives. Getting from west London to Enfield in the morning might take him hours.

I do feel more relaxed …

Let’s do a little recap of what Mourinho said:

1. Pochettino is welcome back anytime
2. Mourinho has been smiling for two days
3. He has no current plans to sign new players in January
4. He is humble
5. He needed the time away from the game
6. Spurs can win the league next season
7. He now owns Spurs pyjamas

Thanks to the wonders of the modern world, you can now watch the entire press conference back right here:

There’s no shortage of quality players with one eye on the exit door at Spurs but Mourinho is hoping to keep the best the squad has to offer in order to take the club forward.

“To try to keep all the best players, to refuse to let the best players go away is part of the vision.”

One of the less desirable syndromes.

Mourinho likes the Spurs squad so much that he wanted to buy most of them. Who has he tried to sign in the past? Kane? Sissoko?

“I told them that one of the reasons why I decided to come was them. I tried to buy some of them for different clubs, I couldn’t, ”Mourinho explained. “Some of them I didn’t even try because you know how impossible it is. But I like this squad very, very much. It is not something new I say to make a point. ”

Ian Burch emails in to point out that we’re not rational:“A rational person might wonder what all the fuss is about when a football managerial post becomes vacant and it’s filled by an unemployed football manager.

“However, football supporters are not rational especially when your former manager pitches up at your most hated rivals. Now there is no moral compass in football and Jose is well be within his rights to think he owes Chelsea and their supporters nothing after being told to ‘do one’ not once, but twice.

“Maybe he thinks it’s just another job, possibly he might be giving Chelsea the two fingers on purpose, but in his heart of hearts he knows he has extinguished any lingering love Chelsea fans may have him, though I doubt he’s that bothered.

“He’s always been very good in recognizing the snakes and rats in the various dressing rooms which have resulted in him being shown the door at Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man Utd. I’m sure that when he looks in the mirror he recognises the weasel looking back at him. ”

More on new signings (or lack of):“The best gift are the players who are here. I don’t need new players. I just need to get to know these ones better. I know them well but you never know them well enough until you meet them. ”

A huge vote of confidence for Michel Vorm.

Mourinho on his time off:“ I always thought that these 11 months were not a waste of time. They were months to think, to analyze, to prepare. You never lose your DNA, you never lose your identity, but I have time to think about many things. During my career I have made mistakes.

“I am stronger, I am relaxed, I am motivated, I am ready and I think the players felt that in two days. I am ready to support them, this is not about me. It is about the club. I am here to try and help everyone. ”

Maybe this is just a ploy to promote Spurs’ range of nightwear for Christmas.“I think I am Mr Porto and Mr Real Madrid and other clubs as well, I am whatever club I am at.

“I wear the pyjamas of the club and sleep in them. I am a club man, but I am a many club man. ”

We all want some time off, Jose, but some of us don’t have the option. I do agree, you needed it.Maybe Mourinho is secretly promoting Corbyn’s four-day week policy.

“I’m nobody to advise people but to have a break was very positive for me. Having the first summer where I didn’t work was not good for me. I was a bit lost. But it was good for me. I even learned how to be a pundit. ”

The Humble One says:“I am humble. I am humble enough to analyze my career, and the problems. There was no one else to blame … I went really deep in that analysis. ”

Keep saying humble, Jose.

“During my career I made mistakes, I’m not going to make the same mistakes, I mean I’m going to make new mistakes, ”Mourinho says.

I was worried he was going to get everything right for a second.

Understandably, Mourinho is quite pleased to be at Spurs.“Happiness-wise I am convinced my choice was a great one.

“The club is huge. I know that I have potentially a great job in my hands. ”

Meanwhile … in France.

Mourinho responds to the Sky Sports News reporter:“I know you would like to keep me at Sky! But this is my life. ”

Lovely banter.

Mourinho starts with some praise for his predecessor.He says: “Mauricio, for the work he did, this club will be always his home.

“He can come when he wants. When he miss the players, when he miss the people he work with. The door is always open for him. He will find happiness again. He will find a great club again. He will have a great future. ”

Steve Bruce says Mourinho is one of the best managers out thereand “you can’t achieve what he has during his career and be a spent force.

“It’s great to have the Special One back.”

I do like the jacket.

Spurs are no one’s second club now.