Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says his side “have problems I cannot resolve myself” but does not believe Spurs are in crisis after losing at West Ham – their fifth defeat in six league games.
The 2-1 reverse leaves Tottenham in ninth place, nine points behind the fourth-placed Hammers.
Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard scored for the hosts before Lucas Moura pulled one back.
“I wouldn’t say crisis,” said Mourinho when questioned about Spurs’ form.
“I would say a bad, a really bad, run of results. That is obvious. We’re losing too many matches.”
Newspaper reports on Sunday suggested Mourinho’s job could be at risk if his team failed to win at London Stadium.
The two-time Champions League winner has been criticised by some Spurs fans for a perceived negative approach to games but, asked whether Tottenham’s slump was related to his style of management, Mourinho replied: “No, not at all. Mine and my coaching staff’s methods are second to nobody in the world.
“I think for a long, long time, we have problems in the team that I cannot resolve by myself as a coach.”
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager suggested winning the Europa League could be Tottenham’s most likely route into next season’s Champions League.
Thursday’s 4-1 win over Austrian outfit Wolfsberger in Budapest leaves Mourinho’s side in an excellent position to reach the last 16.
“In the Europa League we are alive,” he said. “It’s a window of opportunity that is open for us. Maybe we can also get to the Champions League through the Europa League.”
Credit: BBC Sport