‘He understands the game and he got an assist’: Jose Mourinho thanks ballboy for helping to set up Harry Kane’s equaliser against Olympiacos by quickly giving the ball to Serge Aurier for throw-in
- Jose Mourinho thanked a ballboy for the part he played in Harry Kane’s first goal
- He rushed to throw the ball to Serge Aurier in the build-up to the equaliser
- Mourinho high-fived and hugged the boy in his first home gameas Spurs boss
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho thanked a ball boy for playing a part in Harry Kane’s goal against Olympiacos on Tuesday night.
With Tottenham trailing 2-1, the ball went out for a throw-in to the hosts and the young boy raced to throw the ball to Serge Aurier.
Aurier then found Lucas Moura with his throw and the Brazilian crossed for Harry Kane, who slotted home the equaliser.
Jose Mourinho thanked a ballboy for the part that he played in Harry Kane’s goal for Tottenham
He acted quickly to throw the ball to Serge Aurier in the build-up to Kane’s fist goal
Mourinho, in his first home game as Tottenham manager, was quick to acknowledge the part that he had played in Kane’s strike.
The Portuguese high-fived and hugged him, which will no doubt help to endear him to Tottenham fans.
Mourinho praised the ballboy after the game. Speaking to BT Sport, Mourinho said: ‘I love intelligent ballboys. I was a brilliant ball boy as a kid and this kid was brilliant. He understands the game and he got an assist.’
The Tottenham boss also commented on the incident in his post-match press conference. He said: ‘To do that, you have to be a very good ballboy. I was, between 10-16 years old. The kid is a very good ballboy.
Mourinho high-fived and hugged the ball boy in his first home game as Tottenham manager
‘He reads the game. he’s not there just to look at the stands. I tried to invite him to the dressing-room, but he disappeared.’
BT Sport pundit Glenn Hoddle added: ‘That was brilliant from the ball boy because he’s got another ball in his hand. It’s obviously multiball.’
Gary Lineker said: ‘Does he get an assist in fantasy football or something?’.
Olympiacos established a shock two-goal lead courtesy of efforts from Youssef El-Arabi and Ruben Semedo.
However, Tottenham pulled level as Dele Alli and Kane scored. Aurier then scored Tottenham’s third and Kane added another as Mourinho’s side completed an impressive turnaround.
Midfielder Mason Mount (right) was a ballboy at Chelsea when Jose Mourinho was manager
Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount was a ballboy for the Blues while Mourinho was manager.
Mount revealed that Mourinho told them not to throw the ball back in quickly if Chelsea were winning in the Champions League.
Mount told Chelsea’s YouTube channel: ‘The first thing I really remember is being ballboy at the games. That was a big thing for me, I was so buzzing about that. You can’t really be any closer than that.
‘One thing that did stick with me was Jose Mourinho coming to us and telling us that if we’re winning in the Champions League, don’t throw the ball back quick. Keep hold of the ball. Don’t throw it back.’