Harry Kane: Real Madrid challenge would be tougher with Jose Mourinho

Harry Kane says he has huge respect for his former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho and believes a potential Champions League meeting with Real Madrid would be even more difficult under the Portuguese coach.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Bayern Munich striker was asked whether Mourinho had been an “exceptional” figure in his career.

“Yes, I adore Jose,” Kane said. “We had a very good relationship at Tottenham. Things did not finish in the way we wanted, and it was also tough and difficult for me that he did not get the chance to lead the team in that final.”

Kane was referring to the 2020-21 English League Cup final, for which Mourinho was dismissed in April.

“But my relationship with him was excellent,” Kane added. “I played some of my best football at Tottenham under him. I won the Golden Boot and the award for the best playmaker in the same year.

“He gave me a lot of freedom to be myself, to drop into midfield and receive the ball. As a person, I think he understands every detail of the game, with and without the ball, tactically and in terms of dealing with referees. He understands every situation.”

Mourinho and Kane have had few opportunities to meet since the manager left Tottenham, but the England forward said the Champions League could bring them together again this season.

“I have a lot of respect for Mourinho,” Kane said. “It is true that we have not seen each other much since he left Tottenham, but we could face each other in the Champions League this year and it would be good to meet him again.”

Asked whether Real Madrid would be a more difficult opponent for Bayern Munich with Mourinho in charge, Kane pointed to the quality already available at the Spanish club.

“Real Madrid have signed good players and Mourinho is a great manager who will get the best out of them,” he said. “Madrid always have the best players in the world, and this year is no different from previous years.”

Kane acknowledged that Bayern could meet Real Madrid later in the competition, with the Spanish side regularly reaching the closing stages.

“We know there is a strong possibility of facing Real Madrid later in the tournament,” he said. “They are always in the latter stages of the Champions League. We beat them last year by eliminating them in the quarter-finals, but we know it was an extremely difficult tie. With Mourinho there now, it will be even more complicated.”

Kane is also targeting a third European Golden Shoe, a feat that would place him alongside Lionel Messi, who has won six, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won four. No other player has achieved that total.

“Messi and Ronaldo dominated football for a whole generation and are among the greatest in history,” Kane said. “To be part of that comparison is special and it is a target for me.”

“As a striker, I am expected to score goals. The Golden Shoe is not my only objective, but I know winning it also means helping the team. That motivates me. Every time I win an award, I want another one, and this time will be no different. I hope to be involved again this season by scoring as many goals as possible in the Bundesliga, and we will see whether I can win it again.”