José Mourinho Challenges Players to Show 'My Tottenham' in North London Derby

Jose Mourinho has admitted that he wants his Tottenham side to be a 'reflection of what the coach is' when they face Arsenal on Sunday.


Mourinho is poised to take charge of his first north London Derby off the back of a wretched run of form that has seen Spurs drop out of contention for a Champions League qualification spot.


Mourinho has a good track record of winning important derby clashes.

The Portuguese boss does have a proven track record of motivating his players for the big occasion, though, and he's revealed to Sky Sports his hope of his players doing the club justice when they take on the Gunners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.


"When I am in a club, I like to be one of them and I like to feel what my people feel... the moment I put my foot in a club for the first time, I learn it automatically," Mourinho began.


"When I go to a derby as Inter manager, I know what it means for them. When I go as Real Madrid manager, I know what it means for them. And when I go as Tottenham manager, I know what it means for them.


"They can count on me to have exactly the same passion that they have. When you are a player or a coach of a certain team, it cannot be just a job for you.


"For me, my club, my passion, my love, is the club where I am. In this moment, if you ask me if I know how important it is for Tottenham fans to look at their biggest rivals, then of course I know it and of course I share it".


Spurs have won twice since the Premier League restarted in June, with Mourinho's tactics again coming under the microscope. But he stressed that his team will have a different outlook next season - as this is the only second time he's taken charge of a club during a campaign - and even compared his plight to Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.


"To come mid-season to a team in this situation is not easy," Mourinho continued. "I think it's good, in relation to next season, because it helps you to prepare. But for the moment it's not a very easy situation, especially for myself as this is only the second time I have done it in my career."


Tottenham and Arsenal are separated by just a point.

"I think it's a similar process to us (at Arsenal), a coach that comes mid-season, trying to do things now that help the team to get a position in the table but that he can also transfer to the next season."


Arteta's Gunners are currently a point clear of Spurs in the Premier League table, with a win crucial for both team's Europa League qualification aspirations.



Source : 90min