'All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur' Episode 2: When Mourinho's candid chat with Dele Alli brought instant results
Ahead of the start of the English Premier League's 2020-21 season, Amazon Prime Video is set to release the latest edition of 'All or Nothing' featuring the Tottenham Hotspur. The series gives an in-depth look at the team's 2019-20 season that saw massive changes being rung in. It started with the sacking of their manager, Mauricio Pochettino in November and replacing Jose Mourinho as the new main-in-charge. The riveting fly-on-the-wall series is narrated by Academy Award nominee Tom Hardy.
In the second episode, one of the highlights was the exchange between Tottenham midfielder, Dele Alli, and Mourinho. Over the years, he went from being Milton Keyes Dons star to Tottenham's best. The previous season saw Alli garner flak for his inconsistent performances. Alli was aware of the chatter and the ire as he speaks candidly in the documentary about the harsh criticism he received. For Mourinho, the plan was to get Alli back to form. And fast.
In a meeting post-practice, Mourinho and Alli are filmed having a chat in the cabin. "I think you feel that I like you," the manager starts. "You feel...I like you as a player, I like you as a kid since you're a nice kid. I don't want to be your father, or your uncle, or your brother. I just want to be your coach with a good connection. So I have to tell you always what I think. Inside of you, you may tell me to f*** off, but I have to tell you exactly what I think."
He continued, "And for me, since the beginning, I have no doubts about your potential. I saw you do incredible matches and incredible things. But I always felt that you have ups and downs. There is a huge difference between a player that keeps consistency, and that player has moments.
"And that is what makes the difference between a top, top player and a player with top potential. It's something that you don't have to share with me, but it is for you to analyze yourself and realize my career after MK Dons took off...bang! and then stayed at the top, and then (draws a dwindling sine wave)."
"I don't know if it has to be your lifestyle," Mourinho added. "I don't know...in a period, you are an amazing professional, in another period, you go party boy...I don't know, I have no idea." However, the 57-year-old manager also said it was all about time and how there would be regrets if Alli didn't fulfill his potential. "I am not expecting you to be the man of the match every game," he explained. "I am not expecting you to score goals every game, I just want to tell you that I think you will regret it."
"You should demand more from you," the manager egged Alli. What happened next was magical when Tottenham took on AFC Bournemouth at home. And Alli delivered when he netted the first one in. And in the second half scored one more for the Hotspur. Mousa Sissoko scored the third one in and despite conceding two late goals, Tottenham walked away with a win. It was a sweet ending for Mourinho as it was his first home game as coach for Tottenham.
For Alli, it was redemption and a start to max out on his potential.
'All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur' releases August 31 on Amazon Prime Video.