Jose Mourinho has completed 50 Premier League matches in charge of Tottenham, so let’s see how the current gaffer’s record measures up to Mauricio Pochettino’s last 50.
Coincidentally, his first and 50th matches in charge both occurred against West Ham at London Stadium. Appointed on Nov. 20, 2019, Jose began his tenure at Tottenham in dreamlike fashion, with Spurs beating the Hammers 3-2 after scoring three unanswered goals in an explosive 13 minutes. That win represented Spurs first in 13 away matches.
Jose yesterday witnessed his side lose to West Ham 2-1. The contrasting results epitomize Jose’s first 50 matches at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, his reign seeing more ups and downs than a rickety skiff bobbing in the open ocean during a tropical storm.
While it’s not a direct apples-to-apples comparison, there are some intriguing takeaways when delving into how each manager faired at the club from an equal 50-match sample size.
Jose’s first 50 matches in charge
The Portuguese manager, like so many before him, experienced an almost mandatory honeymoon stage. Winning five of his first seven matches — the only defeats coming to Chelsea and Manchester United — Mourinho assimilated to conditions in North London like he did in Manchester, Madrid and Inter.
Made more palpable by Mauricio’s untenable final few weeks, Mourinho made an impressionable state of intent to both supporters and the ownership group. The absence of adversity allowed the Special One’s undeniable charisma the opportunity to gain the locker room’s trust. He galvanized the squad, having an undeniable positive impact on Dele Alli, who, albeit fleetingly, returned to vintage form.
Six weeks on and Jose’s picture perfect start came to a crashing halt. Harry Kane suffered a tear to his hamstring against Southampton, the first serious blow to Mourinho’s Tottenham career. It wouldn’t be the last, as Son Heung-Min, about six weeks later, fractured his forearm in a last-minute win at Aston Villa. Son’s injury, with chinks already forming in Jose’s armour, complicated matters further for the gaffer.
He also started enduring personnel woes, with players like Dele Alli losing form. That trend continued this season, with Dele playing but a fringe part of Jose’s current setup.
Threatened by the prospect of missing European qualification, Jose’s misery was compounded by his side crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League. The onset of coronavirus may have saved Spurs season, as the respite allowed for Jose’s side to get the rest they needed. Fresh and eager, Spurs returned after the lengthy layoff to secure sixth place and a berth in the Europa League’s qualification round. Qualifying for Europe buoyed the overall perception of Jose’s first half season in charge, particularly after inheriting a post-Mauricio side ensnared in adversity and decline.
However Jose’s point per match return, 1.62, is the worst ratio since Juande Ramos was in charge, from 2007-2008. The self-proclaimed Special One has won 23, drawn 12 and lost 15 since taking the helm, his version of Spurs conceding 57 while scoring 80. Mourinho’s winning percentage sits at 46.
Maurcio’s last 50 matches
Mauricio Pochettino’s last 50 matches became increasingly strained. His relationship with Daniel Levy also showed signs of fragility, their unbreakable bond showing signs of fissures. Under the public microscope, they put on a bold, professional and steadfast act, portraying, if only for the cameras, that their bond remained intact, impenetrable.
But the on-field results told an another, altogether tenuous tale. The comedown from Tottenham’s mortifying Champions League Final defeat was as dejecting as it was irreparable. But the Premier League rot with Mauricio in control began before the fateful final. The writing, even though Mauricio didn’t yet know it, started showing irreversibly on the wall.
An abysmal start to the 2019-20 campaign sealed Mauricio’s fate. People started questioning his methods, his uncompromising nature. Steadfast, if not stubborn, Mauricio stuck to his laurels, unmoved by popular opinion.
But it became unsustainable after five years in charge, an impressive reign blighted by his inability to secure a trophy. How things would have changed had Spurs showed up against Liverpool in Madrid. Thought let’s not permit those recurring nightmares to resurface.
His first year and a half in charge was magisterial, unmatched in terms of energy, excitement, passion and overall bravado. He revolutionized how Spurs played, his style demanding respect from every side in Europe. Unfortunately I’m not focussing on the height of Mauricio’s might at Spurs. His last 50 matches were a far cry from the glory years, with the Argentinian winning 26, drawing seven and losing 17. His Spurs scored 85 goals while allowing 56, his record equating to a 52 percent winning ratio.
Pochettino’s reign endured a precipitous decline in the latter stages of his tenure, eventually leading to his dismissal. Whereas Jose’s first 50 matches in charge should, based on historical context and an obligatory honeymoon stage, yield a much higher winning percentage.
The stats, however, tell an entirely different tale. How do you compare Pochettino and Mourinho’s last 50 games in charge?