Mourinho returns to Premier League, replaces sacked Pochettino at Spurs

He's back.

Jose Mourinho was unveiled as Tottenham Hotspur's new manager Wednesday, signing a contract through the 2022-23 season to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, the club announced.

"I am excited to be joining a club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters," the Portuguese gaffer said of his appointment, which was confirmed less than 12 hours after Pochettino's dismissal.

"The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me," Mourinho added.

In a move that stunned the football world, Pochettino was unceremoniously sacked Tuesday. Chairman Daniel Levy said the club was "extremely reluctant" to fire its wildly popular boss, who'd lifted Tottenham to unprecedented status as one of Europe's elite teams during his five-and-a-half-year spell in north London.

Pochettino guided Spurs to their best top-flight finish in over 50 years - they came second behind Chelsea in 2016-17 - and spearheaded an incredible run to the Champions League final last season.

Indeed, he developed an almost cult-like following at Tottenham.

But an "extremely disappointing" start to the new campaign, as characterized by Levy, combined with rumblings of turmoil in the dressing room, was Pochettino's undoing; Mourinho inherits a side languishing in 14th place after collecting a mere 14 points from 12 matches.

That discontent within the squad seems to be a major reason why the change was made. Levy made a point to address it in welcoming the polarizing Mourinho on Wednesday.

"In Jose, we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams, and is a great tactician," Levy said. "He has won honors at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room."

Some of his previous spells would suggest otherwise, perhaps.

His most recent tenure at Manchester United ended in ignominy - as results went south, he seemed to alienate key players in the squad, further damaging a reputation that had already taken a nosedive during his time at Old Trafford.

He's not hidden his desire to return to the Premier League, though, and now he gets that chance with a team that, for all its struggles this season, remains one of the most talented in England.

His opening game on the Tottenham bench comes Saturday, as Spurs look for their first league win since September when they visit West Ham. Incredibly, Mourinho will return to Old Trafford with his new club in just two weeks.