Warming to Jose

I must admit that it took me a little bit of time to warm to Jose.

As with any Spurs fan, I had felt dismayed seeing him succeed in West London over two spells and it was more than easy to dislike the self-proclaimed ‘special one’. As an opposition fan over the years, he had always provided ammunition which aided my dislike which was supported by the media discourse of being arrogant and his ‘park the bus’ style so widely spoken about.

However, one year in, my skepticism and dislike has vanished and in place has been cultivated a pure admiration for the man I had once loved to hate.

In his first press conference as the Tottenham Hotspur head coach when the world’s media flocked to hear him speak, he emphasised that regardless of his history managing other clubs, as soon as he signs a contract with a club, he is completely, utterly and 100% dedicated to the cause. To me, over a year of close observation and initial pragmatism, this statement couldn’t run more true.

From self-isolating with his fellow coaches in the initial COVID-19 lockdown, the passion from the technical area and the time spent at Hotspur Way, Jose has become 100% Tottenham. I once heard a sentiment bandied around that you couldn’t fully love and appreciate Jose until he became manager of your club and I couldn’t agree more.

As a staunch fan, I feel at ease that Jose’s mentality is slowly seeping into the foundations of the club. The tenacious desire to win is becoming more and more apparent and as a sucker for pain in disappointment, he has me believing in what could be.

I feel at ease knowing that the mind games he may play will benefit my club, and that he always seems one step ahead of the media and their expectations.

Surprisingly and most importantly, this mentality seems to be rubbing off on the most important of players. From Harry Kane to Heung-Min Son who have both already been incredible under Pochettino, now seem like animals, driven to win. The way he has motivated them and got them playing and seemingly loving their football is fantastic to see.

The squad is slowly being molded into an identity congruent with Jose and only time will tell whether the Special one will be forever the remembered and revered one in N17.

Sitting top of the league after a ruthlessly strategic performance against City has me well and truly on the Jose bandwagon and long may his tenacious desire to win expand through every facet of the club.