'Mourinho always thinks he can win the Premier League'

Talk of Mourinho leading Tottenham to a glory-laden era grows, although his first trophy may not be what he planned on.

Glenn Hoddle has labeled Jose Mourinho as a ‘serial winner’ and the right man to end Tottenham’s trophy drought, with the former coach tipping the club to win a cup competition rather than the Premier League.

Despite an opening-day loss to Everton, Spurs have climbed to the top of the league standings. They’re currently on 20 points from nine games and ahead of Liverpool based on a superior goal difference.

The club’s excellent form, on top of the summer arrivals of Real Madrid pair Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon, has fueled hopes of title glory.

Indeed, the last time Spurs came close to winning a trophy came in their 2018 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool under Mourinho’s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino. Otherwise, it’s been a long 12 years with no success.

But, with Mourinho at the helm, could Spurs land a first English top-flight crown since 1961?

“Wherever Jose goes, he always thinks he can win the Premier League in time. That is why he is the serial trophy winner that he is,” the former Spurs boss Hoddle told the Evening Standard.

“This is a very open Premier League and a lot of clubs look capable, but it is a long season, it is a Grand National, it is not a sprint. Tottenham are in a good vein of form. It is about belief. Jose will believe. He has done it before so he knows he can do it given time.

“It is how he transfers that belief to the players. If you get a set of fans, a set of players and a management team that believe they are going to win football matches, then that is the magic formula.

“It is an exciting time for Tottenham. If I was a betting man, though, I would bet they would win a cup first rather than a league.”