Sections of Tottenham Hotspur’s fanbase want Jose Mourinho sacked after Spurs crashed out of the Europa League to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday night. The north Londoners threw away a two-goal lead from the first leg to go out 3-2 on aggregate thanks to Mislav Orsic’s stunning hat-trick, which sent the Croatian minnows through to the competition’s quarter-finals.
Spurs also lost to Arsenal following a 2 – 1 defeat at the Emirates stadium during their north London derby in the English Premier League game at the weekend. Ahead of the derby, Mourinho had boasted to the media that does not look down (apparently disparaging Arsenal who currently sits on the 10th position on the table). But resilient Gunners worked hard to shut him up with their domination of the game.
The latest result leaves Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for next year’s Champions League hanging by a thread and with Mourinho’s men sitting in eighth place in the Premier League table, Thursday’s shock defeat in Zagreb has proven to be enough for some supporters.
One disgruntled Spurs fan tweeted: ‘Unforgivable! From the first whistle they looked like 11 players chucked on a pitch with no plan that thought they could just stroll through 90 minutes. I tried I honestly did. But 18 months and Spurs are worst I’ve seen in 15 years. Enough Jose goodbye.’
Another Tottenham fan said: ‘Being a spurs fan is the worst. Never have I hated a team so much. sack Jose.’Meanwhile, another supporter of the north Londoners posted: ‘Tbh (to be honest), if it gets Mourinho the sack this was a good night’s work.’
Mourinho was brought in as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement in December 2019 in a move to try and gain Spurs a first trophy since 2008. The iconic Portuguese coach, who won the Champions League with FC Porto and Inter Milan as well as league titles at Real Madrid and Chelsea, is struggling to deliver for the north Londoners during his first full season in charge.
Spurs have reached the Carabao Cup final but face league leaders Manchester City in the April contest at Wembley, but Thursday’s shock Europa League defeat means a major target this season has passed itself by. It marks a bad week for the club after Tottenham ended up as losers in last Sunday’s north London derby to Arsenal.
Mourinho’s Spurs are also 26 points behind City at the top of the table and also exited the FA Cup at the fifth-round stage, leaving only the League Cup and an uphill struggle for the top-four to play for this season.
Tottenham owner Daniel Levy promised a winning mentality at the club when former Chelsea boss Mourinho controversially replaced fan-favourite Pochettino but Spurs fans are directing criticism at the club chief too. One fan tweeted: ‘Sack the whole coaching team, sell 90% of the squad that was Sunday league level. Levy, Enic & Mourinho OUT. #bottlejobs’
Another fan, discussing Mourinho’s credentials as manager, said: ‘”Serial winner” but can’t manage a 2-0 first leg advantage against a team from Croatia.’ One other Spurs supporter said: ‘Jose Mourinho “The Special One” has now got us knocked out of the Europa league SACK HIM NOW!!!’Mourinho came out after the game and apologised to the Tottenham supporters for the disappointing slump and exit, claiming his side lacked the attitude their Croatian opponents showed on Thursday.
He told BT Sport: ‘For the respect I have for my career and my job, every match is important. For every Tottenham fan at home every match matters. Another attitude is needed. To say I feel sad is not enough. What I feel is much more than sadness. ‘I can only apologise to the Tottenham supporters. I hope they feel the same way I feel. Today is live or die and in this moment we die. In some other matches I have the same feeling. Until the last day of the season we have to try and do our best.’
