Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho needs a top-four finish and the Carabao Cup to hang on to his job.
Sterile tactics and a slide to eighth in the Premier League have fuelled resentment among supporters.
And a dismal Europa League exit at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb only served to crank up the pressure.
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After squandering a two-goal lead against a side whose coach was in prison, the hashtag #JoseOut was trending on Twitter.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara was among those calling for him to go. Speaking on Sky Sports he called the defeat “shocking” and said it was a “sackable offence”.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is expected to give Mourinho a stay of execution, however.
Part of his reluctance to fire the Portuguese is the huge sum it would cost to pay up the final two years of his contract – Mourinho is believed to be on in excess of £12million-a-year.
With their £1billion new stadium and the COVID-19 pandemic having already strained finances, a £25million pay-off is something Levy can ill-afford.
His hesitancy will only last so long, though.
According to the Daily Mirror, only the club’s first trophy since 2008 and a top-four finish will prevent Levy pulling the trigger.
Captain Hugo Lloris hinted broadly at dressing room discord, branding the 3-0 defeat a “disgrace” and adding: “It is a reflection of what is going on in the club. I hope everyone in the changing room feels responsible. We have to respect the badge.”
Mourinho agreed, claiming a change of attitude was required to save their season. He raged: “I have this very bad feeling because maybe for some people, football is a job or a way to make money.”
But making money for Tottenham is what he has to do now – reaching the Champions League final was worth £100m to the London club two years ago.
Their participation in next season’s competition would require Spurs to bridge the six-point gap to his former club Chelsea who sit in fourth.
Otherwise football won’t be a job any more for Mourinho, just a way to make money, all £25million of it.
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