Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says he will have no problems ditching the elbow-bump in order to hug Carlo Ancelotti on Monday night.
Spurs host Everton in a vital fixture in the race for European qualification. A game which sees two of the elite managers of the last 20 years face off for the first time in the Premier League.
Mourinho says he “loves” the Italian, who like Mourinho has managed at Chelsea and Real Madrid in an illustrious career. And he believes Everton are lucky to have him.
“I think everyone in football admires Carlo as a coach and as a person,” he said. “If you don’t know him as a person, at least you know him as a coach.
“It’s not because I like him so much as a person that I’m going to say the obvious, which is: he’s one of the top managers in the world of the last two decades and of course now.
“It’s a privilege for the Premier League to have Carlo back. It’s a privilege for Everton to have Carlo as manager, or head coach, whatever way you want to call him.
“As a manager we all know him, and we don’t need to speak of him, because his office in his house. I don’t know if it’s the house in Milan or London or Liverpool but some office in one of his houses is full of cups. So he doesn’t need anyone to speak about Carlo.
“As a person I had the privilege to know him for a few years. To stay and be with him a few times in UEFA meetings in some different occasions. I just love Carlo.
“I think he’s a fantastic guy. I think I’m going to break the rules. Now is one-metre distance. I’m going to break the rules and I’m going to hug him because I like Carlo very much.”
Spurs, who need to win to reignite their Europa League hopes, will check on Dele Alli before the game. The England man suffered a hamstring injury in training on Saturday.
Tottenham ready to pounce as Barca loanee’s future hit by abrupt U-turn
Tottenham have registered initial interest in a move for Barcelona loanee Emerson Royal, whose future at Camp Nou is in doubt, according to a report.
The right-back has spent the season on loan at Real Betis, playing 28 of the club’s 33 La Liga matches.
Indeed, the 21-year-old has impressed, chipping in with three goals and five assists.
Emerson is part-owned by both Barcelona and Betis and Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) claims the two clubs had previously agreed to another loan spell next season.
However, the source adds that his performances have caught the eye from clubs across Europe. As such, Barca now willing to sell the full-back in their bid to raise much-needed funds. Read more…
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