If there’s one criticism that bothers Benfica’s Jose Mourinho more than any other, it’s that he doesn’t develop players.
The European treble winning coach has often faced questions over his reliance on senior stars during his career, and has often been triggered by criticism the other way.
At Manchester United he famously gave Scott McTominay a candlestick holder as a made up award, and has since taken all the credit for his Napoli displays.
Now at Benfica with arguably the best academy in world football, Mourinho has been spending plenty of time at the club’s Seixal training ground, even joining the youth team for Christmas dinner.
Yet a good friend and writer, Eládio Paramés, took aim at Mourinho’s lack of bravery when it comes to the academy in his column in record.
Citing a Taca da Liga defeat to Braga and Mourinho’s substitutions, he wrote that the coach: “Didn’t lift a finger to change the course of events.”
He then put his finger in a sore spot, adding: “I don’t watch Benfica’s training sessions. In fact, apart from those directly in charge, nobody watches them, because Seixal is a ‘bunker’.
“Mou will have his reasons, but aren’t there any kids with a minimum of quality who could go in there and at least sweat for the shirt?”
We await a reply, as we’ll almost certainly get one…
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