若手

「若い選手はメロンのようなものだ。切って味わってみて初めて、そのメロンがいいものだと100%確信できる。」

訳：Infinito Mourinho

— 若手選手の育成について

“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.”

— チェルシー。プレシーズンの3人のアカデミー出身選手について、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.”

— ローマ。アウェーのジェノア戦で18歳のフェリックス・アフェナ・ギャンが2得点したあと、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.”

— マンチェスター・ユナイテッド。最初の記者会見で、若手起用をめぐる批判に答えて、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.”

— トッテナム。オリンピアコス戦で素早くボールを渡して同点ゴールにつなげたボールボーイをほめて、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.”

— チェルシー。アカデミー出身選手をデビューさせたCLの試合の前に、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.”

— マンチェスター・ユナイテッド。アカデミー出身選手を同時に何人も起用したことについて、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.”

— トッテナム。就任後最初のインタビューで、2019