There and “the only advice” that Ferguson gave Mourinho at United

The All or Nothing about Tottenham, the Amazon Prime Video documentary series that sneaks into the changing rooms of the world's soccer elite, he is showing the ins and outs of Spurs and above all, of Jose Mourinho, his coach.

As the documentary shows, One of the tasks that Mourinho set for himself when he arrived in North London was to recover Dele Alli, whom he had already followed since his time at Manchester United. To wake up the young man during the first days he called him, between the joke and the truth, “lazy” during training and asked for more tension.

After one of the first days there, Daniel Levy, president of the club, came by his office and they talked about the player's situation and that initial meeting. “I've told Dele very directly. He doesn't train well. I'm not telling you he's a disaster but he's not Harry Kane. Harry trains very well, “Mourinho assured while Levy emphasized as the forward if he is international today compared to Dele, who is having a hard time coming back.

“Two years ago I was here,” says Levy while pointing to the sky and Mourinho started with an anecdote to remember Alli's ability, to which they hope he will return. “Sir Alex Ferguson only gave me one piece of advice in two and a half years: “Sign Dele Alli. This guy, with that mentality, his way of playing, his aggressiveness. He's a Manchester United player. Buy that guy. ” He has a good eye for players and chose Dele Alli but he doesn't train well. We need to find the right motivation for this boy, “Mourinho acknowledged as he recalled his time at United.

A meeting to put everything in order

After telling him that it would be “a pain in the ass” beneficial for him and days after having this talk with Levy, Mourinho summoned the English midfielder in his office and explained what he wants to get out of him. “I know you know I like you. I like you as a player and you seem like a good kid to me. I don't want to be your father, you already have a father, neither your uncle nor your older brother. I want to be your coach but I want us to have a good connection. So I will always tell you what I think. Inside, you might send me to hell but I think I have to tell you. Since your inception, I have never doubted your potential. I've seen you play great games, incredible things, but I've always thought that you have peaks and valleys. There is a noticeable difference between constant players and those with good times. It is what makes the difference between the top and those with great potential. I understand that there are things that you do not share, I am telling you so that you can analyze yourself and realize that your career is fine, from MK Dons to the national team, bang! and then ups and downs. I don't know why. I don't know your lifestyle. If at times you are a great professional and then, at others, you like to party. Only you know. I'm 56 and yesterday, I was 20. Time flies. I think one day you might regret it if you don't achieve what you can achieve. This is what I want to tell you. You must demand more of yourself. Not me, nobody, only you“.

“I understand it”, answered an Alli who left the office with the face of trying to assimilate this long message about which he later talks with the producers of the cameras and recognizes working to return to his best form. Since the arrival of Mourinho, Dele had regular minutes although an injury took him away from the field for up to five weeks in the final stretch of the Premier. The Englishman finished the season with nine goals and six assists in 38 games.