Jose Mourinho press conference: A new & improved humble Mourinho says Tottenham can win the league next year

A "relaxed, motivated and ready" Mourinho claimed that Spurs could win the Premier League next season under his guidance, but that big statement did not come as part of the usual bravado we've seen from Mourinho in previous positions.

Mauricio Pochettino had barely cleared out his desk following his sacked before Mourinho was installed as his successor, as Daniel Levy got the big-name coach he craved to elevate his side into the upper echelons of the football pyramid.

11 months after being sacked by Manchester United, Mourinho claims he is a new and improved version of his former self, and certainly showed a different approach as he claimed everything now was about his players and not about him.

"I think I am new and improved. I have to believe so," Mourinho said in his first press conference as new Tottenham boss.

"I always thought that these 11 months were not a waste of time. They were months to think, to analyse, to prepare. You never lose your DNA, you never lose your identity, but I have time to think about many things. During my career I have made mistakes. And I'm not going to make the same mistakes.

"I am stronger, I am relaxed, I am motivated, I am ready and I think the players felt that in two days. I am ready to support them, this is not about me. It is about the club. I am here to try and help everyone."

"In your career - not only your career but in your life - you go through periods, and I'm in a period where it is not about myself at all. It is about my club, my club's fans, my players. It is not about me. I am here to try and help everyone."

'Tottenham can win the title'

Famous for winning titles in every league he has managed, across England, Spain and Italy, Mourinho now says that his new team has the capability to become champions of England for the first time since 1961.

"We cannot win the Premier League this season. We can - I'm not saying we will do - win the Premier League next season," said Mourinho.

"If we win titles. It will not be because of me but as a consequence of the work we do at the club.

"This is a package, this is a vision. The stadium is part of the vision, the training ground is part of the vision, the academy is part of the vision.

"To try and keep all the best players and to refuse to let the best players go away is part of the vision too. Maybe to have a manager of my experience is also part of the vision.

"It is about the vision. If we win titles - it doesn't matter when - it will not be because of myself it is just the natural consequence of a vision and a plan."

Jose thanks Pochettino

Mourinho also spoke in glowing terms about former boss Pochettino, who has a close relationship with many of the squad including star man Harry Kane, saying that the Argentine is welcome back any time.

"I do it with a bit of sadness but I have to speak about Mauricio," Mourinho added.

Jose Mourinho season specials

• 100/30 - Finish in the fop four
• 5/1 - Win a major trophy
• 5/1 - Beat Man Utd twice
• 28/1 - Win the Champions League

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"I have to congratulate him for the work he has done. This club will always be his home. This training ground will always be his training ground. The door will always be open for him.

"He can come when he wants. When he miss the players, when he miss the people he work with. The door is always open for him.

"He will find happiness again. He will find a great club again. He will have a great future."

As for his own feelings at taking over a side who finished as runners-up in last season's Champions League he said: "I've been smiling for two days."

The 56-year-old has managed some of European heavyweights - Porto, Real Madrid and Inter Milan as well as his jobs in England - and made it clear the job at Tottenham is one that excites him.

"I know I have a great job on my hands. The potential of the club is huge, the potential of the club is great, the vision that Mr Levy put in front of me about his club and the quality of the players, the quality of the squad, were the main reasons why I decided to come."

Being based in London once again was understood to have been a great draw for Mourinho and his family, but it does place him in close quarters with Chelsea.

He has arguably never been more beloved than during his early days at Stamford Bridge and it was a second spell in charge of the club that drew him back to English football in 2013.

No more Mr Chelsea

Responding to the notion that he was seen as 'Mr Chelsea', he demurred.

"I think they have to see me as Mr Inter, Mr Real Madrid, Mr Porto. I am a club man, but (a) many clubs man," he said.

"I am not Chelsea, I am not Inter, I am not Real Madrid, I am all of them. I gave everything to all of them and that is what I am going to give here.

"I decided to have this adventure, go to different countries, until what I call the grand slam, England, Spain and Italy. I did it with this passion and then the Premier League, I thought, is my natural habitat."

Referencing his previous interest in members of the Spurs squad, Mourinho revealed he had delivered a personal message to the group underlining his belief in them.

"I told them that one of the reasons why I decided to come was them. I tried to buy some of them for different clubs, I couldn't," he added.

"Some of them I didn't even try because you know how impossible it is. But I like this squad very, very much. It is not something new I say to make a point."

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Related links

• Spurs appoint Jose Mourinho
• Spurs sack Pochettino
• Jose's new job spec at Spurs
• Can Jose get the job done?
• Where next for Pochettino?
• Poch's highs and lows at Spurs
• Poch sacked: The reaction
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