Kane expects Mourinho to make Real Madrid an even tougher Bayern test

Harry Kane believes Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid will make the Spanish club a more difficult opponent for Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Kane, who worked with Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur, said he retained “a lot of respect” for the Portuguese manager and credited him with helping produce some of the best football of his career.

“Yes, I love Jose. We had a really good relationship at Tottenham,” Kane told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Their relationship ended on a disappointing note when Mourinho left Tottenham shortly before the 2020/21 Carabao Cup final, denying him the chance to manage in the match.

“It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, and the fact that Jose didn’t get the opportunity to manage that final was difficult. It was difficult for me too,” Kane said.

The Bayern striker said Mourinho gave him the freedom to play naturally, including moving into deeper positions to help create chances.

“I played some of my best football at Tottenham during his time there,” Kane said. “I won the Golden Boot and also the award for the most assists in the same year.

“He gave me a lot of freedom to be myself, to play and to drop deep to receive the ball.”

Kane also highlighted Mourinho’s detailed understanding of the game, praising his tactical awareness and ability to assess every aspect of a match.

“As a person, he’s someone who understands every detail of the game, whether it’s with the ball, without the ball, tactically, with the referee… whatever it is, he understands every situation,” Kane said.

“I have a lot of respect for him.”

Kane anticipates another difficult tie

Mourinho is now in charge of Real Madrid, raising the possibility of him facing his former player in the Champions League.

Kane expects the Spanish side to remain one of Europe’s leading contenders and believes Mourinho will maximise the ability of his squad.

“Real have signed some good players, and Mourinho is a great coach who will get the best out of the players he has,” Kane said.

“Madrid always have some of the best players in the world, and this year is no different from last year.”

Bayern defeated Real in the Champions League last season, but Kane said that success had come after a demanding contest and warned that a repeat meeting would be even harder.

“We were better than them last year, but we also know that it was a very difficult tie,” he said.

“And with Jose there now, it will be even more difficult.”

Kane has not had regular contact with Mourinho since leaving Tottenham, but said he would welcome the opportunity to meet his former manager again in European football’s leading competition.

“Perhaps we’ll face each other in the Champions League this year, and it would be great to see him again,” Kane said.