Mourinho confirms Spurs approach Thursday, 19 February 2004 by Graeme Bailey Porto coach Jose Mourinho has confirmed he was approached about the prospect of taking over at Tottenham in October - as skysports.com revealed. The highly regarded Portuguese manager was understood to be very high on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy's list of potential successors to Glenn Hoddle. Director of football David Pleat has since been put in charge until the end of the current campaign, but that was after Mourinho told them he would not leave during the season. Mourinho has revealed that he was contacted by somebody acting on Tottenham's behalf on October 22 - before the Champions League clash with Marseille. Skysports.com revealed the news the following day, that Mourinho would not consider Spurs' approach before the end of the campaign. "We were in Marseille for the Champions League and someone accredited to Tottenham spoke with me about moving right away to England," said Mourinho. "I told him if it was a proposition for next season then we could talk to see what could happen. "But to play against Marseille and then start immediately at Spurs, I wouldn't even listen to that invitation." Mourinho has since confirmed his desire to move to Italy or England - the home of his mentor Sir Bobby Robson. Elite clubs from all over the Europe are now following Mourinho's situation very carefully. Mourinho insisted that he would never be tempted by Chelsea's millions and he would prefer a move to Liverpool - although he has previously stated his interest in the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. "Liverpool over Chelsea, no doubt about it," he added. "I think Chelsea is a complicated club because there is a lot of money but an enormous pressure to win something soon. "Do you think it's bearable to keep this crazy investment and not to win something? I think not. "I think the money will stop entering the club if they fail to win anything." Robson's former assistant at Sporting Lisbon also revealed his doubts over the current batch of Portuguese players who have arrived in the last couple of seasons. Out of Helder Postiga, Silas, Hugo Viana and Cristiano Ronaldo - Mourinho only thinks the latter will prove himself in The Premiership. "From what I know, there are four Portuguese players in England," he added. "Silas (Wolves) and Postiga were my players at Leiria and Porto respectively and honestly, I think, from a professional point of view, they made the wrong choice moving into English football. "I recently saw Manchester City v Tottenham and if Spurs play that way then Postiga won't ever win this challenge. "He needs to be fed by the wingers and Tottenham don't play like that." Mourinho also fears for the future of Newcastle youngster Hugo Viana, who has also struggled to make an impact in England. "Hugo needs to play at the centre, he is not a winger, and insisting on that will never pay back the investment. "There is another problem because Gary Speed is a reference point for Newcastle and proves each week his value playing in the middle, which means Viana will have a lot of difficulties imposing himself." "Ronaldo is very fast and I think he is able to triumph anywhere he plays, he is one of players of the future." http://skysports.planetfootball.com/articl...d=187051&cpid=8