Jose Mourinho wanted to turn Harry Kane into a ‘movie star’ footballer upon coach’s arrival at Tottenham

Portuguese’s first conversation with his lead striker is shown in upcoming club documentary All Or Nothing

Jonathan Veal
Wednesday 26 August 2020 05:23 EDT
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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho with his players
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho with his players (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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Jose Mourinho told Harry Kane that he wants to help make him a global superstar in an early meeting between the two following the Portuguese’s appointment at Tottenham.

Mourinho called England skipper Kane into his office on his third day in the job after he replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November.

A scene in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming documentary All Or Nothing – which airs next Monday – shows Mourinho sitting down with his star striker, who was a close confidant of the sacked Pochettino, and telling him how they could be good for each other.

“I believe that you have a very good relationship with Mauricio, I love that,” Mourinho said. “I always think, good relationship with the previous manager. Why not me?

“I saw you training yesterday and I have no doubts that you are a leader. That is my feeling. The world looks to English football with an incredible respect, but they still think that the movie stars of football belong to other places.

“We have to build also your status in that direction. My profile, I am little bit like that as a coach. My dimension is universal and by being with me I think I can help you to... [makes explosion gesture].

“What I don’t accept, because it is my nature, is to be here and win nothing. But I feel that we can because of you.

“You have better players than I had at Manchester United. The club has a lot [of potential] to explode.”

The documentary begins with Spurs’ poor start to the 2019/20 campaign, leading to Pochettino’s sacking, though the majority of it was glossed over.

The cameras were following the club for the entire season and were there to witness some dramatic moments.

Jose Mourinho taking a Tottenham training session (Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho taking a Tottenham training session (Getty Images) (Getty)

Mourinho did not let the documentary filming affect his management style, though, as he was happy to give candid team talks, which make for fascinating viewing.

In one of his early speeches to his team he accused them of being too nice.

“Maybe I am wrong, I feel that you are honestly a very nice group of guys,” he said. “But for 90 minutes you cannot be nice, for 90 minutes you have to be a bunch of c****, but intelligent c****, not stupid c****. B******* in the sense that you are there to win matches, man.

“We have to win. I wouldn’t come here if you were not as good as you were. No chance.”

PA

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