Jose Mourinho was hired as Tottenham manager to win trophies, so will the serial winner pull out all the stops to win the FA Cup?
Mourinho’s predecessor, regardless of what he said in the public eye, didn’t rate the FA Cup. That much was clear after repeatedly watching the Argentinian select a second rate side for FA Cup matches.
But will Mourinho follow suit, or will he pick the strongest side possible to end Tottenham’s barren trophy-less spell? One would think, based on Mourinho’s undeniable hubris, he will opt for the latter.
Mourinho was brought in by Daniel Levy to win, and, even though an FA Cup trophy isn’t the most lucrative of silverware, the Portuguese gaffer would love to be the “Special One” who brings glory back to the Lilywhites.
It’s a matter of pride. Perpetual bragging rights are on the line. He would forever be remembered as the manager to bring a trophy back to the right side of north London for the first time in 12 agonizing years. That type of storybook ending cannot be trumped.
Even when Mourinho is dismissed from his duties at Tottenham, which will inevitably happen at some stage, he would always have the distinction of being the manager to end the seemingly endless run.
So don’t be surprised if you see Mourinho select his aces at every turn to try and win the FA Cup. And it all starts on Sunday at Middlesbrough. Mourinho, since Tottenham’s latest 1-0 setback, has numerous issues to deal with, including injuries to Harry Kane and Tanguy Ndombele.
But this man is known for winning, so expect all of his gunslingers to lineup against the Championship side come Sunday. Supporters demand a win on Sunday and expect a deep run in this season’s FA Cup. Nothing else will suffice.
It’s one of the main reasons Mourinho was brought in as manager. And he will not forsake of jeopardize, by resting top players, his chance to be etched permanently in Tottenham folklore. And I for one don’t care how he gets the job done as long as a trophy, any trophy, gets added to our dusty and relatively unused cabinet.