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The manager changing our long-entertained feelings about him – opinion

Jose Mourinho has always had a polarising effect on anyone who follows football in the slightest. His simplistic and occasionally grizzly outside appearance often juxtaposes the chaotic behavior that distinguishes him from other managers and makes him an entertaining presence in the Premier League.

And with a new task ahead of him, Mourinho has been praised for his outward friendliness and glorification of his new set of players. This is such a contrast from the unsettled Mourinho we saw at Manchester United – so much so that it has caught some of us off-guard, including some Tottenham fans.

No doubt almost all Spurs supporters will have at least gone through one stage of bitterly disliking Jose Mourinho, especially when the Portuguese was bringing success to rivals Chelsea. However, with the new manager bringing a new-found optimism at Tottenham, on top of a seemingly more pleasant personality, Premier League fans, in general, are starting to warm up to Mourinho.

One such affectionate moment came when Spurs were 2-1 down against Olympiacos. One of the ball boys at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was quick to get the ball back in play for Spurs’ throw in, from which they went on to score from. Mourinho not only thanked him immediately afterwards for his quick thinking, but also invited the ball boy to lunch with the squad on the weekend.

Mourinho has expressed great excitement and optimism in the project that is Tottenham Hotspur, which may be part of the reason that he has adapted to the squad’s style of play more than they have adapted to his. A new type of challenge is being embraced by Mourinho, which is allowing him to be more relaxed as a manager.

This converse personality has worked well so far and not only because of the results. The manner in which Spurs fans have reacted to losing their beloved Mauricio Pochettino and gaining one Jose Mourinho at their club says a lot. Mourinho is changing opinions of many around the country and this could determine Tottenham’s success this season and seasons to come.

Harry Mahon

90maat's team correspondent for Tottenham Hotspur, graduate of Loughborough University and current student at the University of Surrey.

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