THE Special One rarely settles for second best — but this time it suits.
And it revives memories of Champions League glory with Porto and Inter Milan after finishing group runners-up both times.
With second place guaranteed for Spurs, Jose Mourinho faces the big hitters in the next roundCredit: AFP or licensors
When he won it with Porto in 2004, they progressed to the knockout phase after finishing second in the group behind Real Madrid.
In 2010, when he landed the trophy for chairman Massimo Moratti, Inter qualified behind Barcelona.
With second place guaranteed for Spurs, Jose Mourinho faces the big hitters in the next round.
He said: “Our big, big, big, big step was reaching the first knockout.
“Then in the quarter-final, when all the teams from the same country can be in the same basket — with the possibility of being drawn home or away — it is the moment everybody has the same chances.
“When I arrived I focused on two matches: the first West Ham, the second Olympiakos.
“The objective was to put everything in these two with one objective in relation to the Champions League — to qualify.
“If we qualified in that game it would allow us to focus more in the Premier League.
“The first step is done. We are in the knockouts. The fact we are second diminishes possibilities a little bit in the last 16.
“We play the second match away, we play a group winner — with clubs like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain . . . the best waiting for us.
“It’s going to be difficult for us. And it’s going to be difficult for them.”
Mourinho has secured some extraordinary wins in the Champions League, with Inter’s success notable for victories over Chelsea and Barcelona along the way.
He is up against it next year but this type of challenge fires up one of the world’s best coaches.
He gathers trophies — with his winning mentality convincing Daniel Levy he was the right person to succeed Mauricio Pochettino.
There are few managers who conduct a job interview like Mourinho.
He twice met Levy in the run up to Poch’s dismissal, sitting back and listening to the chairman’s presentations.
The Special One said: “Before I signed, there were a couple of meetings with Mr Levy.
“He was very organised with the way he presented the vision and the project.
“Sometimes you have amazing presentations and the reality is different. In this case it was not a surprise because the club is very, very well organised.
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“Everybody knows the players — they’re good players, they’re coachable.
“There are some problems, which is normal, and I have to try and attack them but it is a pleasure to work with the guys.
“I will leave Tottenham one day, when the owner Mr Levy, eventually the supporters, and the players want me to — because I myself don’t think of leaving at all.”
Mourinho is ready to turn his attention to the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP or licensors
Spurs prepare to face German champion Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
