Jose Mourinho has taken a brutal dig at Tottenham owner Daniel Levy after the club ended their 17-year trophy drought.
Ange Postecoglou’s side beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao last Wednesday meaning that Spurs will compete in the Champions League next season, despite finishing in a lowly 17th place in the Premier League.
Mourinho managed both sides, winning the Europa League with United in 2017, but he was unable to end Spurs’s trophy drought during his 17-month stint in north London.
The Portuguese manager was sacked by club chairman Daniel Levy in April 2021 days before their League Cup final against Manchester City, meaning he left a club without winning a trophy for the first time since 2002.
And the 62-year-old was quick land a blow at his former boss when asked about the impact of Spurs finally winning silverware.
Mourinho told Sky Sports: ‘The impact is obvious, Tottenham plays Champions League and of course for Mr Levy, the millions that the Champions League gives for him is the best news.
Mourinho has taken a dig at Spurs owner Daniel Levy after Spurs ended their trophy drought
Spurs will compete in the Champions League next season after winning the Europa League
Mourinho spent 17 months at Tottenham before being replaced by former player Ryan Mason
‘For the fans, for the players, for Ange, it’s a title.’
Mourinho has previously hit out at Levy for the nature of his departure.
‘The most ridiculous one was a club that has an empty trophy room sacks me two days before a final,’ he said. ‘That was the one that was… come on,’ he said.
‘Tottenham have never won for 50 years. I don’t remember when. I am two days before a final and I couldn’t do the final. It’s the one which doesn’t smell well.’
Levy has garnered a reputation for running a tight ship during his two decades in charge and thousands of Spurs fans have demonstrated against his tenure this season.
Supporters protested outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Levy ahead of their clash with Southampton last month.
‘Time for change,’ read many flags, while the message on another was: ‘Built a business, killed a football club’.
The Europa League win was just Levy’s second trophy at Spurs and he expressed his delight at finally seeing their drought end.
The Europa League win was Levy’s second trophy at Spurs during his two decades at the club
Supporters held protests outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Levy last month
‘We did it. What an unforgettable night it was in Bilbao as we ended our long wait for glory. This club has been on an incredible journey on and off the pitch since we last won silverware, the League Cup, in 2008,’ he said.
‘We’ve come so close on a number of occasions and never quite got over the line – I have never wavered from the belief that success is just around the corner. I’d like to thank Ange and the players for making this incredible achievement possible.
‘I’d also like to thank you – the fans – for staying with us and carrying that same belief. I know it’s been hard at times and I have shared in that pain and frustration along the way. But when we all come together, we know we can achieve something special.
‘This is one trophy – our clear ambition as a club has always been long-term, sustained success, competing for top honours every year. We have now tasted success and we are determined to use this as a springboard for more.’
