FourFourTwoSA looks at five key games lying ahead of new Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho following the departure of Mauricio Potchettino.
23 November – West Ham United (away)
Mourinho’s first game in charge is a London derby on Saturday. The sides are just a point apart on the table with the Hammers, in 16th, having slumped after a bright start to the campaign. Spurs have not won in their last five league games but, after the surprise exit of Mauricio Pochettino, it will be interesting to see how the players respond.
4 December – Manchester United (away)
Mourinho’s appointment at Tottenham indicates his reputation has not been overly damaged by the bitter end to his two-and-a-half-year stint at United, but the trip to Old Trafford early in his Spurs tenure will be a reminder of where things went wrong. United’s form has been patchy this term, and this will be an intriguing contest.
11 December – Bayern Munich (away)
The Portuguese has been linked with a number of positions over the last 11 months, including the hot seat at German giants Bayern. The rumours may not have developed into anything serious but the club’s profile would undoubtedly have suited him. This Champions League glamour clash will instantly appeal, although Spurs – who were thrashed 7-2 by Bayern in October – will hope to have already secured their last-16 place.
22 December – Chelsea (home)
Barely a month into his reign, Mourinho will have to face another of his former clubs. He had some happy and successful times at Chelsea but, again, things ended in acrimony. Plenty of water has passed under the bridge at Stamford Bridge since and the current side are thriving under Frank Lampard – who starred playing under Mourinho at Stamford Bridge – but, with little love between the two sets of fans, a feisty encounter awaits.
11 January – Liverpool (home)
Mourinho will be able to measure his side against the Premier League’s best in the new year, with the game against Liverpool followed by a visit from champions Manchester City on 1 February. Liverpool have been the outstanding team of the season so far. In the recent past Spurs have tackled them head on, playing a similar style, but Mourinho may try to nullify them in the way his United sides did.