EDDIE Howe admits Mauricio Pochettino's surprise exit from Tottenham "gave me time to recheck myself", before welcoming "all-time great" Jose Mourinho back to the Premier League.

Pochettino was sacked by Spurs this week, bringing to an abrupt end a stay of more than five years in north London, replacing him with Mourinho.

Tottenham reached the Champions League final less than six months ago and Howe says the decision to let Pochettino go made him assess his own work at Cherries.

Asked if Pochettino leaving his role so soon after reaching a European final shows how quickly football can change, Howe said: "Exactly that. I think that was probably my first thought.

"It sort of gave me time just to recheck myself because Champions League finalists, did an incredible job there over a long period of time, brought a style of play to Tottenham that was really easy on the eye and did so many great things and suddenly, what’s happened this week has happened.

"I think for me myself, it just made me check, am I doing the right things? Am I getting the best out of all the players I have at my disposal? That’s the key to the job and that’s what I’ve made sure I’ve tried to do every day that I’m in the job."

Discussing the return of Mourinho, almost a year on from his Manchester United exit, Howe added: "I always welcome the best back into the Premier League because I think it makes the league better.

"I was as surprised as everybody else watching from afar what happened this week. But Jose is an unbelievable manager and I think it’s great for the league that he’s back.

"It’s probably not ideal timing for us to go to Tottenham in his first home league game (on November 30), but it is what it is. We’ll relish that challenge when it comes."

Quizzed on suggestions that Mourinho may be past his best, Howe said: "No, not at all. You look his record, I’d love his track record.

"The trophies that he’s won and the things that he’s achieved in the game are incredible.

"For me he’s one of the all-time greats, I think the trophy cabinet says that. I think he’s certainly got a lot more to give."