TOTTENHAM still listed Jose Mourinho as manager in their match programme for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Southampton – despite him being sacked on Monday and replaced by Ryan Mason.
Spurs accidentally took the pressure off rookie caretaker-boss Mason as they bid to leapfrog Liverpool and move sixth with victory.
RB Leipzig chief Julian Nagelsmann is the bookies’ favourite to permanently succeed Mourinho.
And former Chelsea and Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri has also stormed into contention, at least according to the bookies.
But Mourinho’s name lives on at Tottenham – on paper, anyway.
Spurs’ Under-23 coach and ex-midfielder Mason is in charge for the rest of the season.
But he admits he has yet to speak to ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss Mourinho.
He said: “No I didn’t get the opportunity. Obviously it all happened so fast for me so I didn’t have the opportunity.
“Listen, he’s been a great manager and has been a great manager for a very long time and I wish him all the best for the future.”
Mason has, though, spoken with Mourinho’s Spurs predecessor, Maurinho Pochettino, who is now PSG chief.
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He said: “Yeah we have exchanged a couple of messages and with a couple of the other staff from his team as well.
“He’s very busy understandably but we’ve always had a great relationship.
“He loves this club as well. He wished me all the best and I’m sure we’ll be in contact in future as well.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
