Jose Mourinho said he is taking on a "great job" as Tottenham manager when he was officially unveiled by the club on Thursday.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the London club on Wednesday following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino the previous evening.
Mourinho, who was sacked by United in December 2018, said the team was perfectly placed to achieve big things over the coming seasons.
"The potential of the club is huge, the potential of the players is great, I am so happy," he told a press conference.
"That was one of the reasons I came because of the vision that (chairman) Mr Levy put in front of me about the club and the quality of the players and the squad.
"I know potentially I have a great job in my hands."
Mourinho's first match in charge of 14th placed Spurs will be away to West Ham, two places below them, on Saturday.
"I don't need players I just need time," he said, predicting he would not need to completely rebuild the squad.
"The best gift are the players who are here. I don't need new players. I just need to get to know these ones better. I know them well but you never know them well enough until you meet them.
"They were in hands of a good manager and coaching staff. Of course we have principles of play and leadership style that is going to change, that is obvious, but I cannot come here and think it is about my fingerprint or myself. It is not about myself."
The Portuguese said he had used his 11 months away from the game to "think and prepare".
"You never lose your DNA - you are what you are - for the good things and the bad things," he said.
"I know in my career that I've made mistakes. I'm not going to make the same mistakes. I'll make new mistakes."
Pochettino lost his after a poor start to the season left Spurs 11 points behind the top four and 20 behind leaders Liverpool.
Mourinho said Pochettino, who led Spurs to four consecutive top-four finishes and to last season's Champions League final, would be welcome back at the club any time.
"I have to congratulate him for the work he has done," he said.
"This club will always be his home. This training ground will always be his training ground. The door will always be open for him. He will find a great club again and he will have a great future. He will always be welcome."
Australian Associated Press
