Jose Mourinho broke down in front of players after tragic loss on Christmas Eve

The festive period in 2019 will always be tinged with a hint of sadness for the Mourinho clan.

It’s why Jose Mourinho did remarkably well to hold it together when he informed Tottenham’s playing group about a personal loss that left him ‘deeply f*****’.

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In an episode of the documentary All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur, the then-Spurs boss sat in front of his players and poured his heart out.

“Some of you maybe think I am just an idiot,” Mourinho said.

“But the reality is that I’m dead because my dog died. My dog died and I’m f*****. Deeply f*****.

“And I want you to know that, because I don’t want you to think I am upset with you, or I’m less confident, or I’m less happy. There is nothing to do with you at all.”

In another scene, Mourinho is captured discussing his beloved pet with former Tottenham superstar Harry Kane.

Kane asked: “Gaffer, what dog?”

Mourinho replied: “This one is a Yorkshire Terrier, little one.

“For 13 years, it travels everywhere.”

The Portuguese boss added: “And f****** dies on the f****** 24th of December. F****** hell.”

The dog, named Leya, was the same four-legged friend that led to Mourinho’s arrest in May 2007.

Mourinho was held by police after two officers and an animal health official paid a visit to his home in London to take Leya away.

The official intended to quarantine the dog having believed it was taken abroad and then back to England without having been vaccinated.

However, a spokesperson for Mourinho, who only received a caution for obstructing police, later stated the situation was simply a ‘misunderstanding.’

“Jose Mourinho can confirm that he was cautioned by police, and released without charge earlier this morning after an incident involving his pet dog,” the spokesperson said.

“The incident occurred due to a misunderstanding over documents required for veterinary regulations.

“Mr Mourinho would like to make it clear that his pet dog was bought in England from a reputable breeder and has had all its necessary inoculations. Full cooperation will be given to the authorities over any animal health issues.”

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Although the loss of Leya left Mourinho and his family heartbroken, he at least had something to smile about two days after as Tottenham beat Brighton 2-1 on Boxing Day in 2019.

Adam Webster’s first-half strike put the Seagulls ahead, but goals from Kane and Dele Alli secured a vital three points for the north Londoners.