Jose Mourinho delivered a bullish defence of his coaching methods after defeat at West Ham confirmed the worst run of form in the Tottenham boss’ managerial career.
Spurs saw a second-half fightback fall short at the London Stadium, hitting the woodwork twice as Wests Ham held on for a 2-1 victory which condemned their rivals to a fifth Premier League defeat in six.
The defeat means Mourinho has managed to secure just 81 points from 50 league games in charge of Tottenham – his lowest total at this stage of any of his managerial stints.
However, asked whether Spurs’ recent run had prompted him to question his philosophy, the Portuguese issued a firm rebuttal.
“Not at all, zero [doubts],” Mourinho told his post-match press conference. “Sometimes results are a consequence of multiple situations in football.
“Mine, and my coaching staff’s methods, are second to nobody in the world.”
Mourinho was equally dismissive of suggestions that Tottenham were in crisis, adding: “I don’t know what you mean by crisis. If crisis is frustration and sadness in the dressing room, I would say so, because nobody is happy.
“We all showed that in this game, when a team fights the way we did until the last second trying to get a different result, it is never a group in crisis. Groups are in crisis when you are not together in the search for better results than you have.
“So I wouldn’t say crisis, I would say a really bad run of results. That is obvious, we are losing too many matches.”
Spurs’ latest setback – sealed by early goals in each half by Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard – leaves them languishing in ninth in the Premier League, nine points adrift of the fourth-placed Hammers and with perhaps an insurmountable gap to bridge in the race for Champions League qualification.
Mourinho refused to concede Tottenham’s chances of finishing in the top four while they were still mathematically possible, but admitted winning the Europa League could represent a more viable route in the Champions League.
“It is still mathematically possible,” he added. “When it is mathematically possible it is realistic, yes it’s very hard, but mathematically it’s possible.
“Of course, our team has problems and the problems are reflected in results and with points. But I also believe a little bit of that luck needed in football to win matches has to be back, and if that comes back things will be different.
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“You hit the post and it goes inside or outside, the VAR decisions many times – not specifically today but many times – are controversial or decisions by an inch. Sometimes you need luck to go in your favour.
“I believe if this team wins a couple of games in a row, the situation can change, and we can fight for top four. Nine points now is difficult, but in football it is possible.
“Then there is the Europa League, we are alive. When we are alive, knowing there are many difficult opponents and everybody has the same ambition we have, but the Europa League is a window of opportunity for us and maybe we can get to the Champions League through it.”
