'It's respectful to the culture of the club to speak the language of the individuals in it': Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho reveals he is learning Korean in a bid to improve his communication with star striker Son-Heung min
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he has started learning Korean to improve his standing with Son-Heung Min.
The Portuguese coach is already multi-lingual and knows six languages - Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan, English, French and Italian - but now he is adding another string to his bow to help him communicate better with his star forward.
Speaking at the launch of the club's Amazon documentary All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur, he said it was important he understood the different cultures at the club and was willing to throw himself into various languages.
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho believes it is important he embraces the culture of the club
He revealed he has started learning Korean to improve communication with Son-Heung Min
'Communication is very important when I am with the group, I have to go to the native language, which everybody understands,' he said, via the Sun.
'It's respectful to the culture of the club to speak the language of the individuals in it. In the series it was a Portuguese group of coaching staff, although we now also have an English coach in Ledley King.
'And with the players, I jump into their language — that is why I am learning Korean.'
Son scored 12 goals under Mourinho since he arrived as Spurs boss in November - including the first goal of his tenure against West Ham, even though he was already flourishing under his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino.
Star forward Son scored 12 goals under Mourinho last season after he took over in November
Mourinho said it was 'respectful' to the club to ensure he understands his players' languages
He has scored 85 goals in 229 appearances from the club since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and could become even deadlier if he manages to increase his understanding with the 'Special One'.
Mourinho is now looking ahead to next season after finishing sixth in his first campaign with the club - qualifying for the Europa League. He is confident he can achieve 'something special' with Tottenham having won a trophy at every club he has managed in his career.
'Since I first arrived in England in 2004 my perception of Tottenham was always the same — a big club, a big fanbase and lots of good players,' he added.
'In my second spell in England we have seen the evolution of the club to have the best stadium in the world, the best facilities.
The ex-Chelsea boss is targeting 'something special' with the club ahead of the new season
'I also feel the club have very good players, with a dream to win something.'
He believes Spurs have the quality within them to lift more trophies after coming close by reaching the 2019 Champions League final, and feels the presence of players like captain Hugo Lloris - who won a World Cup with France in 2018 - can aid their cause.
'Some of them have won things at other clubs, Hugo Lloris got the biggest one when France won the World Cup. It's a dream to do something special with the club.
'They almost did it in the Champions League final last year — but they didn't. So now it's the challenge to make something special.'