Rio Ferdinand fears that Jose Mourinho’s latest comments could be creating issues between him and his Tottenham players.
The north Londoners spurned the chance to go fourth on Sunday as they surrendered a lead at Newcastle.
It was a major blow to their European ambitions, especially given that many of their rivals dropped points.
Throughout his career Mourinho’s defensive record has always been a strong suit but when quizzed on his team’s frailties the Portuguese boss said: “same coach, different players”.
The Special One has a reputation for challenging his players publicly, but Ferdinand fears his latest move may not be well received in the dressing room.
He told the FIVE YouTube channel: “Part of me understands Jose Mourinho. He has an ego, like all of us. He has pride and when you attack him he comes out fighting. I respect that a lot, I’ve got to say.
“But in these situations, sometimes he thinks about himself before anything else.
“He maybe doesn’t think in that moment about the impact that can have on the changing room.
“If I’m a player in that changing room, that is definitely casting doubt over me as an individual and us as a team.
“What that does to a changing room, man, it doesn’t galvanise them or bring them on side.
“It creates a rift, especially when you’re not getting results. If you’re winning and top of the league, you can say and get away with these type of things, but not when you’re looking for confidence and searching for consistency.
“He’s not bringing the players on side with those comments, man.
“That’s why I fear for Mourinho and his squad, because those comments don’t bring people alongside him.”
Tottenham now find themselves in sixth – three point behind West Ham in fourth.
