Mourinho incurs referees’ wrath because he is ‘Special One’, says Tottenham boss Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino said referees focus their attention on Jose Mourinho because he is ‘the Special One’.

The Manchester United manager has been fined on three separate occasions this season, once for comments about referee Anthony Taylor in United’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool,  and also for his touchline behaviour in the Red Devils’ clashes against West Ham United and Burnley.

Spurs are currently fifth in the Premier League, one place and six points above United, and thumped bottom side Swansea City 5-0 at White Hart Lane last time around.

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Pochettino, whose side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, said his Portuguese counterpart was one of the best bosses the game has ever seen, and feels Mourinho incurs the wrath of officials because of his high profile.

“I try to be objective and his behaviour is no different from other managers,” said the Argentine. “But because he is ‘the Special One’ sometimes referees, people, media focus on him.

“But if you compare with other managers who might behave worse than him, they are not in focus because they are not ‘the Special One’ like him.

“It is very difficult to have that control sometimes to manage yourself. You get frustrated on the touchline. His behaviour is normal; sometimes you are frustrated for a decision and you show your disappointment.”