Mourinho To Tottenham: How The Deal Was Brokered

Cat:

Related stories

“Nigeria’s challenges not about the constitution, but its operators”, says Obasanjo

By Yanju Uwala A former Nigerian President and military Head...

Nigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025

By Abiola Olawale In a major achievement for Africa’s largest...

Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate Senator

By Abiola Olawale President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio...

News broke on Tuesday evening that Pochettino had been dismissed from the role he had held since May 2014 and the rumour mill over his replacement soon kicked into gear with Mourinho quickly installed as the early favourite.

Less than 12 hours later, last season’s losing Champions League finalists had indeed announced Mourinho as their new boss, bringing a speedy end to what turned into a whirlwind day in the life of one of the Premier League’s biggest teams.

The deal, according to Sky Sports News was brokered by Israeli super-agent Pini Zahavi.

The man who took Neymar to Paris St Germain in a world record £190m deal was the driving force which convinced Daniel Levy that Jose Mourinho was the man to turn Tottenham’s fortunes around.

Initial negotiations between Levy and Zahavi began following Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at home to Watford over three weeks ago.

Those negotiations continued for more than a fortnight – and only in the last week have face-to-face talks, between Levy and Mourinho taken place.

We understand those negotiations took place in London.

Discussions centred around the present squad, the style of play Mourinho would adopt and potential transfer budgets. We understand while Jose believes the squad is strong, it is under-achieving and has the potential to be successful. Funds will be made available if deemed necessary.

Why did Tottenham opt for Jose?

Zahavi became convinced that, while Mourinho had come close to re-joining Real Madrid in recent months, a deal for him to take over the reins at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was possible.

The 76-year-old, who spends his time between homes in Marble Arch and Tel Aviv, was the man who convinced Roman Abramovich back in 2004, to bring the then 41-year old Porto manager, to Stamford Bridge.

Now, 15 years after Zahavi ushered ‘the Special One’ through the doors of Stamford Bridge, he has brought about Mourinho’s return, tasked with creating another dynasty at one of the Premier League’s top clubs.

During several rounds of negotiations over the past month, Zahavi convinced the Tottenham chairman his club was missing a winning mentality and the 56-year old Mourinho would bring that to their stunning new £1bn north London home.

Zahavi explained how Jose was perfectly placed to arrest Tottenham’s decline, to instil a new belief in the squad – and how he was desperate to get back onto the training ground to work with players after 11 months out of the game.

Mourinho had prioritised a return to the Premier League because he was motivated to win major trophies with a third English club. He turned down China and a host of other European jobs to wait for the right project and clearly he feels this is it. There is no doubting what his main priority is and that is to deliver success. Ultimately this is what has been most enticing for Spurs.

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Elderstatesman, Emeka Anyaoku, Speaks Again , Urges Nigeria to Adopt a "People’s Democratic Constitution""Nigeria's challenges not about the constitution, but its operators", says ObasanjoNigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate SenatorOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in CourtOgun PDP Knocks Dapo Abiodun, Backs Striking Workers: "Strike Action is lawful, a response to Abuse"[Full Letter] Atiku Abubakar Quits PDP, Signals Major Political Shift Ahead of 2027 ElectionsNational Grid Crisis: Six Universities, MTN, NDA, 16 Others Exit Grid, Resort to Own Power GenerationOgun PDP Knocks Dapo Abiodun, Backs Striking Workers: "Strike Action is lawful, a response to Abuse"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in CourtOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate SenatorNigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025"Nigeria's challenges not about the constitution, but its operators", says Obasanjo
X whatsapp