Jose Mourinho reveals his dog died at Christmas in sombre start to Boxing Day Premier League action

Tottenham manager kicked off Amazon Prime’s Boxing Day Premier league coverage with a sad recollection of his family’s Christmas

An emotional Jose Mourinho revealed that his family’s Christmas was overshadowed by the death of his dog Leya.

The Tottenham Hotspur manager opened Amazon Prime’s Boxing Day broadcast as Spurs took on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League’s early kick-off, appearing alongside presenter Jim Rosenthal.

But the 56-year-old revealed that the festive period had been a somewhat sombre time in the Mourinho household after losing his dog, which the Portuguese treated as one of his own.

Asked how he celebrated Christmas, Mourinho said: "To be honest, it was very sad because my dog died and my dog is my family.

"But we have to move on."

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The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager was visibly emotional discussing Leya’s death, appearing to hold back tears as he spoke, and he thanks Rosenthal for his commiserations before leaving the interview.

Leya was a Yorkshire Terrier who had previously been in the public eye 12 years ago when Mourinho was arrested and cautioned after arguing with police officers over allegations the dog had been taken abroad and brought back to the United Kingdom without having vaccinations.

It soon transpired that Mourinho’s wife, Matilde Faria, had taken Leya to Portugal under the permission of authorities.

It’s thought that Leya turned 12 this year after Mourinho’s daughter Matilde posted a picture of her 10th birthday celebrations on Instagram two years ago.