Tottenham wasted no time in hiring a new coach. On Tuesday night, the north London giants announced the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, saying farewell to their boss of five years. Come Wednesday morning, a replacement had already been named.
And what a replacement he turned out to be! After weeks of speculation, all the rumors were confirmed as Jose Mourinho was appointed as the new head coach at Spurs.
Confirmation arrived early in the morning, with the north London giants announcing his arrival in an official statement at precisely 06:29 in Britain. The Portuguese tactician put pen on paper on a three-and-a-half year contract that runs until 2022/2023 and will return to the dugout for the first time since his roller-coaster spell at Man United.
The Special One was sacked by the Red Devils nearly a year ago and the 56-year-old has been without a coaching job since, taking up a pundit role on Sky Sports until an ideal opportunity came up. He was linked with a move back to Real Madrid and with Arsenal as well, but Jose was happy to take the Tottenham job.
"I am excited to be joining a Club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters," Mourinho told the club's official website.
"The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me."
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy sang the former Chelsea manager's praises, saying: "In Jose, we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician. He has won honors at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room."
Given the status of Mourinho and the drama that ensues everywhere he goes, it came as little surprise to see him trending on Twitter. In fact, his appointment made social media explode. Many were happy to see Jose back, some were skeptical of what is to come for Tottenham, while others could not help but send out trolls and memes – cue the park the bus jokes.
On one side of the coin, fans argued that Spurs will now win a trophy due to Jose's track record. On the other side, some feel he will envoke negative tacticis and park the bus. Meanwhile, Arsenal fans were upset that within less than 24 hours, their neighbors sacked their boss and hired a proven winner. Check out the best tweets below.
Poch on Mourinho at the start of the season. We wonder whether he still loves the Special One now!
"I love Mou" What Pochettino said about Mourinho back in August pic.twitter.com/SfwmTvn9PS
— ROOTE SPORTS (@Rootesports) November 20, 2019
Mourinho makes his first signing as Tottenham head coach. pic.twitter.com/tPX1jusZAR
— Obi Of Onitsha (@cliqik) November 20, 2019
How has Spurs managed to sack Poch and hire Mourinho in the span of 11 hours while Emery is still here??!!#EmeryOut pic.twitter.com/5CnanpAaso
— (@Olamigenius1) November 20, 2019
I see Jose got the Spurs job... Wait till he goes to the well... #Mourinhopic.twitter.com/VAJHGgdzlB
— Marcus.Donor card holder. (@Mark1975s) November 20, 2019
Getting one over Mourinho might just drive Pogba back from injury!
Pogba after hearing Tottenham signed Mourinho and #MUFC Plays them 2 weeks from nowpic.twitter.com/OC4a9In6D8
— Osu Mants3 (@Two_Terty) November 20, 2019
Son after realizing that he will be Full back #Mourinho pic.twitter.com/gq4FzkCEbl
— Tkay (@tkaydrift) November 20, 2019
#Spurs fans quickly deleting their anti-#Mourinho 'park the bus' tweets. pic.twitter.com/MY8xr59cu0
— 90sChelsea (@90schelsea) November 20, 2019
This is what Mourinho said about coaching Spurs back in 2007. Yikes!
José Mourinho in 2007:
— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) November 20, 2019
"I would not take the Tottenham job because I love Chelsea supporters too much." pic.twitter.com/R5pqOWDUtx
How many time has Jose Mourinho upset Chelsea fans? #Tottenham
— Hairy Macancheese (@macncheese065) November 20, 2019
Chelsea fans: pic.twitter.com/e8WaRBUEI0
Spurs fans waking up and remembering that Mauricio Pochettino got sacked last night pic.twitter.com/d1qzkMdTRM
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 20, 2019
Unai Emery still confused.
— 007-BULLY (@HassanOsmanMQ) November 20, 2019
Players want to leave.
Top 4 not happening.
The board supporting a loser.
As if it wasn't enough, North London Derby is gone.
Jose Mourinho will beat Arsenal hom/away/mars/jupiter... guide Tottenham to a trophy & call us 'babies.' #EmeryOut pic.twitter.com/L6NpaQFXz5
Poch out, Jose Mourinho in. Netflix yet to create anything with as much drama as an average Premier League season.
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) November 20, 2019
Spurs fans waking up to the news that they have replaced Pochettino with Mourinho. pic.twitter.com/2Ie0clgXoO
— Gooner Swede (@insidegunner) November 20, 2019
Jose Mourinho's commitment to upsetting Chelsea fans is by far his most attractive quality.
— Darren Richman (@darrenrichman) November 20, 2019
Jose Mourinho. Back in the Premier League.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2019
pic.twitter.com/JytoDhBVXE
Jose Mourinhio : 24 trophies won
— Samir Hansda (@samirmohanhansd) November 20, 2019
Spurs in their whole history : 24 trophies won #Mourinho pic.twitter.com/qsGJLcuqAb
Jose Mourinho is back!
— Daud Ahmed (@_DaudAhmed_) November 20, 2019
Trophies incoming for Tottenham. #JoseMourinho pic.twitter.com/i12veEQG6L