Kurt Zouma provides reminder of Jose Mourinho’s brutal honesty

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has provided an insight into the management style of Jose Mourinho, recalling a time when he brutally told him he was ‘rubbish’.

The Portuguese is managing Tottenham Hotspur these days and so far, it’s been a fairly uncontroversial and unproblematic start.

Results have been OK, and there has been little sign of trouble in paradise on the face of things.

Some bold calls have been made though – one example being the early substitution of Eric Dier against Olympiacos back in November.

One of Mourinho’s former players Zouma has now revealed the Special One did not hold back when telling him what he thought of him during his time at Chelsea.

He said in an interview with RMC Sport (via GFFN): “I cannot remember which match we were playing, we were losing 3-1, away from home.

“The following day, he [Mourinho] catches up with me, he takes me to his office, and he asks me if I am ok. I said yes, he asked me if I was sure.

“I said yes again, he replied ‘Because you were rubbish this weekend’. Like that, direct. It shocked me, but it made me want to immediately respond on the pitch.

“I remember that it hurt me, that it affected me. But I really wanted to show him that I could react.”

TBR’s view – A reminder for Spurs players

Zouma’s comments serve as a reminder for the Tottenham players about just how tough Mourinho can be.

It’s, seemingly, all been very nice and very normal so far during the Mourinho era at Tottenham, but Zouma’s story is a reminder he is one of the toughest in the business.

Perhaps that kind of honesty will sometimes be needed going forwards, and hopefully the Spurs players can respond in the right way should it happen.

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