High-profile teams have been knocked out of Europe by both sides and the ex-Man Utd boss feels anything is possible for the surprise packages
Jose Mourinho has said that he would not be shocked if Tottenham or Ajax win the Champions League despite both the Premier League and Eredivisie sides being considered underdogs, with Barcelona and Liverpool also in the competition.
Spurs surprised the football world earlier this week as they held their nerve to beat Manchester City on away goals in the quarter-finals, with Pep Guardiola's charges being counted among the favourites to lift the trophy before that result.
That feat was made all the more dramatic due to the absence of Harry Kane, who may not feature again this season through injury, as the club had to rely on Son Heung-min and Fernando Llorente at the head of their attack.
Ajax themselves overcame the odds against European giants Real Madrid and Juventus to make it to the semi-finals, although the Dutch club are still considered by many to be a long-shot bet to secure their first Champions League title since 1995.
Regardless, Mourinho is not putting it past either side to go all the way.
“I'm really happy for both of them,” the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss told Russia Today. “I always used to say that when you get into the quarter-final you are there for a reason.
“The group phase, sometimes you get a little bit lucky, sometimes your opponent is not as good as expected, sometimes you are lucky in the last-16 draw. But when you get into the quarter-finals, in a very respectful way, I always say there's a 12.5 per cent chance for each team [to win].
“When you get to the semi-finals it's even more, 25% for each one. I wouldn't be surprised if Ajax or Tottenham win the Champions League.
“Okay, maybe I would be a little bit surprised, but I wouldn't be in shock because they are in the semi-finals and one of them will go to the final and the final is a final, it's one game. It's 90 minutes, it's the game of a career for the majority of the people.
“I think they'll both be dreaming about it and they have good reason to dream about it. Ajax are giant killers and Tottenham – we can't say giant killers because City have no tradition of success in the Champions League – but they are a top team in the country and they beat them too. It's a 50/50.”
29356899(deleted)
1
Distorted face, distorted brain 🧠 Major trouble maker .
Adisaibern
1
no complain..
JohnMc2018
3
The Semi finals is basically the final this year, who ever wins out of Barca and Liverpool will win UCL
dupptyz
2
Says the exact same manager who tried to tell Spurs how to win against Ajax.
Dinabdkmns
1
Jose Mourinho, he is a hater of Barcelona and Messi together, he remain a hater for the rest of his life time. He will end up not getting a good club again to coach as his time as a coach is up. Jose Mourinho bye, bye as a club coach no first division club wants you again, you are no good coach. your ego as the best coach have brought you down brother. you might as well go to second division club or even third division club may hire you as a management, ok . Stop running your big mouth as Messi and FC Barcelona, we don't need you for anything.
he did not say anything against barca
Tobisma_LFC
2
Jose is time to get a job... you're jobless
yumbdeiloz
1
invitational to Jose Mourinho, he will celebrate with Liverpool at the end of season. a double, hopefully.
Cockyshit99
0
thug life @jose_mourinho
Rantawilliams
2
I also would be shocked
Tiaalprstz
1
on Ajax, Mou is right
G/O/A/T
1
sacked manager speaking..
Tooacenosu
1
one of them, ajax or spurs will get to the finals . but Liverpool or Barca will lift the trophy.
mizcinrtz
0
"... Tottenham – we can't say giant killers because City have no tradition of success in the Champions League". Mourinho is the master of throwing jabs.
are you even a local giant??
Facbcikrtu
1
nah none of those will get to final we looking at barca vs liverpool here jose
madbiopsuz
2
Jose Mourinho, he is a hater of Barcelona and Messi together, he remain a hater for the rest of his life time. He will end up not getting a good club again to coach as his time as a coach is up. Jose Mourinho bye, bye as a club coach no first division club wants you again, you are no good coach. your ego as the best coach have brought you down brother. you might as well go to second division club or even third division club may hire you as a management, ok . Stop running your big mouth as Messi and FC Barcelona, we don't need you for anything.
Yasharif
3
When will Mourinho keep his mouth shut 🤐
lannisterjamie
0
You’re so stupid for you comment it’s you and your generation that will die
kane son alli erkisen are world class dumbass
Oluwole12
0
u might go to caves and die if spurs win cl mate
You’re so stupid for you comment it’s you and your generation that will die
lannisterjamie
0
Well I will be shocked and surprised if either of them win the champions league cuz none of them has a world class player. The time Chelsea won it we were all surprised but they have a lot of world class players like Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Ivanovo, Torres, Cech, Ashley Cole etc so it’s not a fluke like Spurs or Ajax to win it
u might go to caves and die if spurs win cl mate
igunnu
0
"... Tottenham – we can't say giant killers because City have no tradition of success in the Champions League". Mourinho is the master of throwing jabs.
The fact remains City is no giant in Europe. They do not have pedigree in European competitions. Shove that up your ar**. And on whether barca will defeat Liverpool, why don't you wait till May 1 and 7 so you learn how Liverpool sets the European standard for the whole of England.
MelvynJ
3
last time you said man u is going through
... Its OGS not Mourinho... Different manager different style..
Hanabeorz
2
At stage the champion league can be won by any of the team that will go through to the final.
Barca4all
3
Spurs ain’t underdog.. what bullshit is this..
sheriffaskia
1
sure. if they win it they deserve it.
Mawaosu
2
last time you said man u is going through
Cmon_CTID
0
"... Tottenham – we can't say giant killers because City have no tradition of success in the Champions League". Mourinho is the master of throwing jabs.
yeay Barca will destroy Liverpool
igunnu
3
"... Tottenham – we can't say giant killers because City have no tradition of success in the Champions League". Mourinho is the master of throwing jabs.
Oluwole12
1
Well I will be shocked and surprised if either of them win the champions league cuz none of them has a world class player. The time Chelsea won it we were all surprised but they have a lot of world class players like Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Ivanovo, Torres, Cech, Ashley Cole etc so it’s not a fluke like Spurs or Ajax to win it
Dåligfisk
3
Yes Spurs has big change to be Champion for the first time in the history at least bigger changes then City
kimche
1
UEFA Liverpool vs totenham uel Chelsea vs arsenal
possiblen
1
You know what to do, guys.
reasonable
1
The semi-final is going to be amazing.
baba21
2
Ajax has already taught us not to underestimate them—beat Madrid, Juventas, no losses in the group stage
Veravere
0
They've got a chance, very underrated team. Plus Spurs love a good bottle job
Justinbra
0
Lfmao Ajax vs spurs who will meet drake first.
yaosila
0
With the players available at home, it’ll be a huge test anyway. Isn’t Son unavailable now too? Nothing is going to be taken for granted, home tie or not.
leadership
0
Mourinho forgot to mention that Ajax developed drastically since 2017
Thonas
1
Jose finished 2nd with this squad, bettering Spurs, Chelsea etc who have better squads Jose won the Europa league with this squad, beating Ajax in the final. Ajax have gone on to be a force in Europe beating Madrid and Juve Jose Mourinho is an absolute genius Enough said
meddekuy
2
liverpool is the best and they can win both titles
Biscimpruy
3
dont write off Barca and Liverpool. both have exceed expectations and should be match of the season
Amartious
2
I agree perfectly, but Barcelona will be crown winners of UCL.
oz_nuestro
2
Barca is winning it