Jóvenes
«Los jugadores jóvenes son como los melones. Solo cuando abres y pruebas el melón estás 100% seguro de que el melón es bueno.»
Traducción de Infinito Mourinho
— Sobre la formación de jóvenes
“My conscience tells me that if, for example, Baker, Brown and Solanke are not national team players in a few years, I should blame myself.”
— Chelsea, sobre tres canteranos en la pretemporada, 2014
“I promised him that [if he scored] I would buy him a pair of shoes that he really likes, that cost €800. … He came over to me and told me not to forget that. Tomorrow morning, I will go and buy them.”
— Roma, tras el doblete del joven de 18 años Felix Afena-Gyan en Génova, 2021
“Do you know how many players I have brought through from the academy to the first team? Forty-nine. If anyone is interested I can give you the names.”
— Manchester United, en su primera rueda de prensa, respondiendo a las críticas sobre los jóvenes, 2016
“I love intelligent ball boys, like I was. I was a brilliant ball boy as a kid. This kid today was brilliant. He reads the game, understands the game and made an important assist.”
— Tottenham, elogiando al recogepelotas cuyo saque rápido propició un empate ante el Olympiacos, 2019
“If you don't bring kids through the academy, the best thing is to close the academy. If the kids are not good enough or the work not good enough, and you don't bring kids through, then close the door and use the money to buy players.”
— Chelsea, antes de un partido de Champions en el que hizo debutar a un canterano, 2014
“But I think the best debut for a young player is in the middle of an experienced structure, where he can be supported. To play so many kids at the same time, honestly, I don't think it's good.”
— Manchester United, sobre alinear a varios canteranos a la vez, 2017
“I really like this squad and looking to the young players – there is not one manager in the world that doesn't like to play young players and to help young players to develop – not one.”
— Tottenham, en su primera entrevista tras ser nombrado, 2019