Tottenham striker Harry Kane has revealed he found out about Jose Mourinho's sacking around 10 minutes before it was made public on Monday.
Mourinho paid the price for a disappointing second half of the season where Spurs fell away from the Premier League top-four race and suffered a humiliating Europa League exit to Dinamo Zagreb – the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.
The Portuguese may have lost his job before he did had it not been for Kane, whose form this season has been a shining light, with 47 goal contributions in 43 games.
"I was surprised, I'll be totally honest," Kane, who is a doubt for this Sunday's Carabao Cup final told Sky Sports. "I came in that morning and probably found out five to 10 minutes before it was announced.
Thank you for everything Boss. A pleasure to have worked together. I wish you all the best for your next chapter. pic.twitter.com/n3MLECMdC1 — Harry Kane (@HKane) April 19, 2021
"A lot of the focus was on the Carabao Cup final and preparing for that but, look, it's football.
"I've been here now where a couple of managers have been sacked and, as a player now, I don't think you ever expect the boss to be sacked but it's part of the game, you have to deal with it.
"I had a great relationship with Jose, I wish him all the best for whatever his next job is, but he knows as we know football can be cut-throat and we just have to look forward. We have a big final to prepare for now and we're looking forward to that."
Spurs, amid a storm of criticism for their involvement in the failed European Super League plan, appointed 29-year-old Ryan Mason on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Mason, a close friend of Harry Kane, got off to a winning start on Wednesday with a 2-1 Premier League win over Southampton, and the striker is impressed with his former Spurs team-mate.
"Ryan's been great. It's obviously been strange for him, a bit of a roller coaster coming in late notice and taking on the job," Kane added.
"I thought he's done incredibly well; how he's handled the whole situation, how he's handled the boys and obviously getting his first win against Southampton was a massive moment.
"It's given everyone a buzz going into the cup final. Me and Ryan are good mates, we've known each other a long time, on and off the field we are really close.
"I'm buzzing for him to have this opportunity and to have the experience to manage one of the best clubs in the world. Hopefully we can try and win on Sunday and experience a truly special moment together."
