Mourinho: I haven't lost my passion, but I have more emotional control

Mourinho, a three-time Premier League champion and two-time Champions League winner, has had a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve since coming to the fore at Porto almost 20 years ago.

The Portuguese - now in charge of Spurs - has been involved in various heated exchanges with opponents, officials, the media and even his own staff and players.

But Mourinho, who this week launched a staunch defence of Harry Kane amid accusations he is "clever" in winning penalties, claims he is now a changed man.

"I haven't lost my passion," he explained. "But I am more experienced and have more emotional control."

Mourinho has endured a mixed start to his first full season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham are third in the Premier League, two points behind leaders and champions Liverpool, and could go top with victory in Sunday's early game against West Brom.

However, Spurs have thrown away points in stoppage time at home to Newcastle United and West Ham and, having come through a draining qualification phase, last week lost a Europa League group game at Royal Antwerp.

The boss #UEL #COYS pic.twitter.com/isZGJB5IJD

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 4, 2020

Victory over Brighton and Hove Albion since then has Mourinho in good spirits heading into another big week with matches against Ludogorets and the Baggies.

And unlike many of his adversaries, Mourinho acknowledges he is already looking at the league table and liking what he sees.

"It's nice. We are not going to hide that you always look at the table and where you are," he said.

"If you look through clinical, cynical eyes, you see that [the top of the league] doesn't mean a lot; the league is so compact.