• Football

  • Pundits

Charlie Nicholas News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Tables
  • Leagues/Cups
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Transfers
  • Video
  • On Sky
  • Sky Bet
More from Football
  • Football Home
  • Pundits

Charlie Nicholas

Football Expert

Jose Mourinho to Tottenham a 'short-term fix', says Charlie Nicholas

Nicholas: "Mourinho is a serial winner but he might not be any more - the game is adapting."

Last Updated: 22/11/19 8:18am

Jose Mourinho's appointment at Tottenham this week surprised Charlie Nicholas
Jose Mourinho's appointment at Tottenham this week surprised Charlie Nicholas

Charlie Nicholas says Jose Mourinho at Tottenham is a "short-term fix" and praised Mauricio Pochettino for the job he did at the club.

There were less than 12 hours between Pochettino's departure on Tuesday evening and Mourinho's appointment early on Wednesday morning, taking many people by surprise.

  • Mourinho named Tottenham head coach
  • 'Humble' Jose: I've made mistakes
  • Jose to Spurs: How the deal was done

There has also been a mixed response to the arrival, and Soccer Saturday pundit Nicholas believes it is not a long-term solution for Tottenham.

He told Sky Sports: "I am amazed, to be honest. The background of it suggests that they were speaking to Jose Mourinho behind the scenes.

2:43
Jose Mourinho tells Spurs TV he 'couldn't be happier' after getting the chance to take over from Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham
Jose Mourinho tells Spurs TV he 'couldn't be happier' after getting the chance to take over from Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham

"Mourinho is a serial winner but he might not be any more - the game is adapting. I am surprised on the timing of it and how quickly it has happened.

"I don't know if Mourinho and Daniel Levy is a partnership which will get the job done. He likes to spend, and if the players aren't doing what is asked of them then the relationship can come quite strained. Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen have six weeks before they could strike a deal to get out of Tottenham and he may get some money in for them in January but he will want to adapt it to his style.

1:36
Jamie Redknapp says Jose Mourinho and Daniel Levy are football's 'odd couple' and will have to adapt to work together
Jamie Redknapp says Jose Mourinho and Daniel Levy are football's 'odd couple' and will have to adapt to work together

"The only reason I can see the push for Mourinho is his winning mentality, which will get some sort of trophy over the line. Mourinho is a short-term fix - he doesn't do more than three seasons.

"I am confused about the situation and how quickly and deliberate it has been with the sacking. This will eat into their budget also so it is a dramatic event - it did take me by surprise."

'Has Pochettino been a success? Absolutely'

4:21
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol explains the reasons behind Daniel Levy's decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol explains the reasons behind Daniel Levy's decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino led Spurs to top-four finishes in four of his five seasons in charge, as well as their first Champions League final in the 2018/19 campaign, and it is this form that garnered praise from Nicholas.

"A month or six weeks ago, I said on Soccer Saturday that it sounded to me as though Mauricio Pochettino was talking his way out of Tottenham. The chairman took them for dinner, Pochettino wasn't getting money, yet this may have been to reassure him that the club was going in the right direction. The relationship sounded as though it was repaired but he said he wanted to bring in fresh bodies.

  • Bayern considering Pochettino
  • Pochettino leaves proud Spurs legacy
  • Carragher: Poch sacking out of order

"Pochettino wasn't happy with the running down of contracts from Vertonghen, Alderweireld and Eriksen. Danny Rose will be ready to say something soon now Pochettino has gone. Regarding the other ones, Poch said he tried to get contracts but he doesn't control this.

3:05
Harry Redknapp believes the players are to blame for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino getting sacked
Harry Redknapp believes the players are to blame for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino getting sacked

"Later, I thought it settled down a bit and thought they would just get on with it until the time comes, potentially waiting for Manchester United or Real Madrid to knock on the door. That's how I saw it.

Also See:

  • Mourinho named Tottenham head coach
  • 'Humble' Jose: I've made mistakes
  • Jose to Spurs: How the deal was done
  • Bayern considering Pochettino

"Even if he fell out with Daniel Levy, is this why they have made the move for Mourinho? Or because he has not won anything? No. Has he been a success? Absolutely.

"Arsenal were never really overly concerned with Tottenham, but on a couple occasions, they were not far off winning the title, they reached the Champions League final, which is far more threatening than the other team in north London. With the pedigree he head, Pochettino has done fantastic."

Win £250,000 on Tuesday!

FREE TO PLAY: Do not miss your chance to land the £250,000 jackpot for the fifth time this year.

Trending

  • 1
    Pulev leading race to fight Joshua next
  • 2
    Emery approached by Everton
  • 3
    Arsenal's malfunctioning midfield
  • 4
    Should Chelsea spend £100m on Sancho?
  • 5
    Russia banned from Olympics and World Cup
  • 6
    Euro Papers: Ronaldo 'regrets' Real exit
  • 7
    PL hits and misses: Liverpool pass latest test
  • 8
    Pep: City can't currently compete with elite
  • 9
    What's going wrong for Man City?
  • 10
    Are Arsenal in a relegation scrap?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Tackling Racism
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK