Chris Sutton reckons Tottenham have gone backwards under Jose Mourinho

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Chris Sutton has told BT Sport’s UEFA Champions League highlights (Wednesday, 11pm) that Tottenham Hotspur have gone backwards under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, after the club were knocked out of the Champions League.

Spurs suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat on Tuesday to RB Leipzig in Germany, losing 4-0 on aggregate as the injury-hit side failed to even pose a threat to Julian Nagelsmann’s side. A brace from Marcel Sabitzer, and a late strike from Emil Forsberg sealed the tie.

It has been a difficult run of games for Spurs. Losing to Norwich City on penalties saw Jose Mourinho’s best chance of silverware vanish in The FA Cup, before defeat to Leipzig sees Spurs forced to focus on the Premier League.

However, some dismal recent form under Mourinho has seen Spurs slip to eighth in England’s top tier, and Sutton reckons the north London club has gone backwards under their current manager – in comparision to Mauricio Pochettino.

“Would they have performed like this under Pochettino? I’m not sure they would have,” Sutton said. “It is worrying, worrying times for Spurs – now eighth in the Premier League.

“Dele Alli’s comments about the mentality were extraordinary and it speaks volumes. They’ve gone backwards under Mourinho, he’s getting his excuses out now – and he will want Levy to spend a fortune in the summer. He’s a misery.”

TBR’s view – Would Pochettino have taken Spurs further?

Unfortunately for Tottenham, no manager can halt the slide of a Champions League final defeat. Things had already turned stale under Pochettino, but a defeat in the world’s biggest club game is difficult to instantly come back from.

Pochettino tried to continue but his time was over. For Mourinho, he has been tasked with halting that slide and although it seems as though he is failing, he is doing his best with what funds and players he has fit. European football is a bonus.