Jose Mourinho is back in work after being appointed Tottenham’s new manager.
The Portuguese, who was sacked at Manchester United 11 months ago, has replaced Mauricio Pochettino on a deal until the summer of 2023.
He inherits a team full of quality but also one on a slide.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the issues Mourinho will have to address.
Win a trophy
Sort the defence out
? Bayern ?
? Best away performance you’ve seen?#UCL pic.twitter.com/UY6xtndgfQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 1, 2019
A tight defence was once a cornerstone of the Tottenham side, but that has been a key struggle this season. They have faced more shots in the Premier League than any other side, have kept just one clean sheet and conceded seven in a game against Bayern Munich. Mourinho is renowned for his ability to build a side that is defensively rigid and he will have to get to work quickly on drilling his new back line to make them far more solid.
Get the best out of contract rebels
Sort away form out
Convince Harry Kane to stay
Ready to go tomorrow! ⚽ #COYS pic.twitter.com/SUa48m8ujL
— Harry Kane (@HKane) August 9, 2019
While the fate of Eriksen, Rose, Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld may be out of his hands, Mourinho needs to make it his main priority to convince Harry Kane that his future remains at Spurs. The England captain is under contract for plenty of time yet, but he is a superstar of European football and has always said he wants to win things. Ideally that would be at Spurs, and his chances of that might just have improved, but it would be a surprise if he was not linked with the super clubs this summer, especially if he has a good Euro 2020. Mourinho needs to do everything he can to make sure Kane, who had an especially close relationship with Pochettino, still feels content at the club – and hopefully winning matches will help to convince him.
