Harry Kane was shocked to see Jose Mourinho sacked ahead of the EFL Cup final against Manchester City and only found out about the decision five or 10 minutes before the official announcement.
While Kane had previously seen Mauricio Pochettino axed and acknowledged that Mourinho knew the risks of taking charge at Tottenham, he was not expecting the move which came just six days before the final.
The England captain, though, praised interim manager Ryan Mason and is “buzzing” to see his friend get the opportunity lead Spurs to silverware on Sunday, having won his first match 2-1 against Southampton in the Premier League.
Kane is a fitness doubt for the EFL Cup final after he suffered an ankle injury in last week’s draw at Everton.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 23, 2021
Mason says the club will take no risks with their talisman, who has still not returned to training, but they are monitoring his situation hour by hour.
“I was surprised – I’ll be totally honest,” Kane said to Sky Sports about the sacking of Mourinho.
“I came in that morning and probably found out five to 10 minutes before it was announced.
“A lot of the focus was on the Carabao Cup final and preparing for that. But, look, it’s football. I’ve been here now where a couple of managers have been sacked.
“As a player now, I don’t think you ever expect the boss to be sacked but it’s part of the game, you have to deal with it.
“I had a great relationship with Jose, I wish him all the best for whatever his next job is, but he knows as we know football can be cut-throat and we just have to look forward.
“We have a big final to prepare for now and we’re looking forward to that. Ryan’s been great. It’s obviously been strange for him, a bit of a rollercoaster coming in late notice and taking on the job.
“I thought he’s done incredibly well; how he’s handled the whole situation, handled the boys and obviously getting his first win against Southampton was a massive moment.
“Me and Ryan are good mates, we’ve known each other a long time, on and off the field we are really close.
“I’m buzzing for him to have this opportunity and to have the experience to manage one of the best clubs in the world. Hopefully we can try and win on Sunday and experience a truly special moment together.”
The build-up to the final – and even the sacking of Mourinho – was overshadowed by Spurs’ planned involvement in the European Super League.
It was not a prospect Kane was keen on and he was glad to see the project fall apart within 48 hours.
Kane added: “I liked the outcome of it. I didn’t quite like the idea of it if I’m honest. I can totally understand the fans’ point of view.
“From a lot of people’s point of view, it wasn’t quite right. It’s obviously been ended for now. I’m proud of the fans for sticking up for what they believe in.
“For football in general it’s good the way it is. The competitiveness is an important part of football and that’s the reason we play.”
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 23, 2021
Kane has previously acknowledged he faces a big decision over his club future at the end of the season.
Spurs look unlikely to reach the Champions League and the City clash provides Kane with a shot at what would be his first major honour.
City boss Pep Guardiola is looking to deny him and become the first manager to win the EFL Cup in four consecutive seasons.
Guardiola’s side have not lost any of their last 19 ties in the competition since being eliminated by Manchester United in October 2016.
No player has scored more club goals at Wembley than Kane, who has 31 in 44 games at the national stadium for Spurs. It was Tottenham’s temporary home during the construction of their new stadium.
He has netted eight times in his last 10 club games at Wembley, though there have only been two English scorers in the last seven EFL Cup finals – John Terry in 2015 and Jesse Lingard in 2017.
As for Mason, the last manager to take charge of an English club in a major final as early as his second game at the helm was Luton Town’s Syd Owen in the 1959 FA Cup final.
