Bale aims dig at Mourinho: ‘Tottenham are a team who need to attack’

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Gareth Bale has sent a dig towards former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho by suggesting Spurs did not attack enough under the Portuguese boss.

A few days ago Mourinho was sacked as Tottenham manager, with the club down in seventh in the Premier League struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho can still be a success – if his ego gets out of the way

The dismissal came after a run of two draws against Everton and Newcastle and a loss against Manchester United in Spurs’ last three games.

In his career Mourinho has earned a reputation for being a pragmatic coach, someone who prefers defensive solidity to swashbuckling attacking play.

Although Spurs had to rely on a late penalty from Heung-min Son to complete a 2-1 comeback win against Southampton on Wednesday, Bale was happy that the team appeared to be more willing to attack.

“We need to be on the front foot a bit more, we’re a big team with great players and we need to attack more and stay higher up the pitch more,” Bale said in a post-match interview to BBC Sport.

Mourinho sacked – the reaction

Normally the sacking of a high profile manager like Mourinho would have taken up most of the media attention over the past few days, but Spurs made the announcement during the middle of the European Super League debacle, meaning Jose didn’t receive as much airtime as he would have otherwise.

Even though Bale suggested he was content with Mourinho being gone, that can’t be said for every Spurs player.

“I have no words to describe how I’m feeling, it’s been a pleasure to work with you,” Son wrote in an Instagram post. 

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out and truly grateful for the time we’ve had together. Good luck and all the best for the future.”

Star striker Harry Kane, meanwhile, wrote on Instagram:

“Thank you for everything Boss. A pleasure to have worked together. I wish you all the best for your next chapter.”

Ryan Mason became the youngest Premier League manager in history when he took charge of the team for the Southampton match, but Spurs are looking at a number of high-profile coaches to come in as a replacement for Mourinho.

Brendan Rodgers, Julian Nagelsmann, and Eddie Howe are some of the names who have been mentioned.