‘I never thought I would be managed by Jose Mourinho at Tottenham’: Danny Rose admits joy at working with new Spurs coach as the left back looks forward to a busy festive period
- Danny Rose believes Tottenham can finish inside the top four this season
- Spurs started the season poorly, leading to the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino
- But Jose Mourinho’s arrival has seen Spurs win three of their four league games
- Rose admits he is very lucky to work with ‘serial winner’ Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has restored belief inside the Tottenham dressing room with Danny Rose certain they can achieve what seemed impossible when he first arrived and finish inside the top four.
Spurs have won three out of four in the Premier League since Mourinho came in last month and have closed the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea to six points.
Rose has not spoken privately with the new head coach about his aims and ambitions but has detected a change of gear since he replaced Mauricio Pochettino.
Danny Rose argues with Bayern’s Thomas Muller during Wednesday’s Champions League clash
Rose admits he is enjoying working with Jose Mourinho since his arrival in November
‘I’ve never had a conversation with him and I don’t see why I need to,’ said the England left-back who was made available for transfer in the summer but has no plans to leave before his contract expires at the end of next season.
‘Everyone has to start again. We’re all at the same starting point or at least I hope we are. I should think I’m no different to anybody else.
‘I’m here for the next 18 months. I want to do as well as I possibly can, work as hard as I can to achieve what looked impossible a few weeks ago, and that is finishing in the top four.
‘I’m looking forward to a massive Christmas run that we’ve got.’
Tottenham were impressive as they beat Burnley 5-0 on Saturday and Mourinho spared Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen and Serge Aurier the trip to Germany and the 3-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Players such as talismanic striker Harry Kane were rested for the trip to Munich in midweek
There was nothing at stake with qualification already assured and he wanted them to rest ahead of the congested festive fixture list which starts with big games against Wolves, on Sunday, and Chelsea.
‘It was an unbelievable performance at the weekend, probably the best of the season,’ said Rose. ‘I hope the lads who have rested at home will be ready to go at the weekend and I hope we can continue with the great performances.
‘I have to be honest, I never thought I would be managed by Jose Mourinho at Tottenham. That’s credit to the club and how well they’ve progressed throughout the years.
‘To get someone like Jose has been brilliant. He’s one of the most decorated managers of my lifetime so it’s been a good start for the team and I’ve enjoyed it so far.
Rose worked under Mauricio Pochettino since the Argentinian’s arrival at Tottenham in 2014
‘I felt very lucky to work under Mauricio and I feel very lucky to work under Jose. He’s won a lot of trophies and we’re all excited. He’s a serial winner so I imagine we will be looking to win the FA Cup and finish in the top four of the league.’
Spurs are through to the knock-out stage of the Champions League as runners-up in Group B behind Bayern Munich.
They will face one of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, RB Leipzig or Valencia in the last 16. The draw is on Monday.