How Jose Mourinho helped turn Harry Kane into English football's 'movie star'

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

Harry Kane became just the fourth Englishman in history to win the Ballon d'Or following Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) and Michael Owen (2001).

The England and Bayern Munich forward enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 season in which he scored 73 goals for club and country and was named as the best player in the world at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on Monday evening.

In his winning speech, he mentioned some of the coaches who have helped him on his journey.

“I want to give a shoutout to some of my coaches who have helped me along the way, and if I’ve forgot anyone, I'm really sorry, but I'll start from early days," Kane began.

"Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, John McDermott - who's here tonight; Alex Inglethorpe, Tim Sherwood, and Ryan Mason - who's here tonight, one of my best friends; Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade, Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and then Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, and of course, my two managers, Vinnie and Thomas now.

“All you played a big role in my development, all at different stages in my life, and without each and every one of you, I wouldn't be standing here today. For sure, I learned lots and when you surround yourself with the best people, with the best coaches, it only improves you as a person and, and as a player, so thank you very much."

José Mourinho's first ever talk with Harry Kane.

This was already a great video at the time. Now, it has just become an all-timer.

EVERY line is gold. https://t.co/DIxyHjDQuL

— IM🇵🇹 (@Iconic_Mourinho) October 26, 2026

Notable by his inclusion in that list is Jose Mourinho, who managed Kane at Tottenham between 2019 and 2021.

Now that the Englishman has won the Ballon d'Or, a moment between him and Mourinho from Amazon's sports documentary 'All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur' has gone viral.

In it, Mourinho praises Kane and suggests that, under his tutelage, he could become one of the best players around.

"I believe that you have a very good relationship with Mauricio [Pochettino], I love that. I always think, good relationship with the previous manager. Why not me?" the Portuguese asks.

"I saw you training yesterday and I have no doubts that you are a leader. That is my feeling. The world looks to English football with incredible respect, but they still think that the movie stars of football belong to other places.

"We have to build your status in that direction. My profile, I am a little bit like that as a coach. My dimension is universal and by being with me, I think I can help you to… [makes explosion gesture]."

Kane responded: "Yes, that's my aim. When you're at a club like Tottenham, of course, we've done well, and personally, I've done well, but I want to be... [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi."

Mourinho continues: "What I don’t accept, because it is my nature, is to be here and win nothing. But I feel that we can because of you. You have better players than I had at Manchester United. The club has a lot [of potential] to explode."

Kane performed brilliantly under Mourinho at Spurs, recording 45 goals and 17 assists in 62 appearances. His best season was in 2020–21, when he scored 23 Premier League goals and provided 14 assists, winning both the Golden Boot and Playmaker award.

Mourinho helped Kane develop into both a goalscorer and a creative playmaker, particularly through his partnership with Son Heung-min.

The striker was well on his way to become an elite forward even back then, but Kane himself has credited Mourinho previously for helping him to reach the next level.