Tottenham’s Jose Mourinho pays tribute to mentor Bobby Robson after first league win at St James’ Park

‘Finally I can leave the stadium and pass Mr Robson’s statue and laugh with him’

Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho paid tribute to his mentor Bobby Robson after overseeing a 3-1 victory at Newcastle on Wednesday evening.

The result marked Mourinho’s first league win at St James’ Park after seven previous failed attempts, and the Portuguese said the relief he felt after the final whistle was connected to his relationship with his mentor, the late Robson.

Mourinho worked as Robson’s interpreter and later became his assistant at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona. Robson, who also coached England and Newcastle among other teams, is honoured in the form of a statue outside St James’ Park.

“For me it’s a good feeling, yes, not because it was the only stadium in the English Premier League where I had never won before – I have no problems with that,” Mourinho said after a Harry Kane brace sealed all three points for his side after Matt Ritchie had cancelled out Son Heung-min’s opener.

“But, of course, I am very happy for the team and finally I can leave the stadium and pass Mr Robson’s statue and laugh with him, because every time I come here, I leave the stadium and I look at him with a sad face.

“It’s the first time I can leave the stadium and smile.”

Robson managed Newcastle from 1999 until 2004. It was his last coaching job before he died in 2009 at the age of 76.

Mourinho’s Spurs are seventh in the Premier League on 55 points after their victory over the Magpies, with sixth-placed Wolves one point ahead after their draw at Burnley on Wednesday.

Both Tottenham and Wolves have two games remaining in the league this season.