Many people associated with Tottenham including the current squad, former players and fans have sent emotional farewell messages to Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff following his dismissal as head coach.
Former Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has become the latest to react to Pochettino’s sacking and the appointment of Jose Mourinho as his replacement.
Van der Vaart, who was sensational in the two seasons he spent in North London from 2010 to 2012, has a unique perspective to offer on Mourinho’s appointment having worked with the 56-year-old at Real Madrid before moving to Spurs.
While the former Dutch international was eventually sold by Mourinho, he did enjoy success under him at the Spanish capital.
The Dutchman did express shock at Pochettino’s appointment, but also assured Spurs fans that Mourinho was a phenomenal coach who was capable of making then among the best.
He posted the following message on social media:
Football is so crazy at times. We all know that, fans, players, staff. I was as shocked as everyone. Poch has done a tremendous job at Spurs, and it won’t be easy to top his team perfomance and passion for our club. In football nothing is certain, but one thing is: pic.twitter.com/h2iFQZErgI
— Rafael van der Vaart (@rafvdvaart) November 21, 2019
Mourinho will stir things up, so let’s see what happens. He is a phenomenal coach, straightforward and ambitious and so are our boys. So #COYS heads up, chest out. We’re not only the best of northern London, we are the best. So show it.
— Rafael van der Vaart (@rafvdvaart) November 21, 2019
Spurs Web Opinion
The one thing that is obvious about Mourinho is that so many great players who have worked with him seem to have a huge amount of respect for him. While he did fall out with some players during his last spell at Manchester United, he does have a reputation for developing close relationships with his players and getting the best out of them.