Jose Mourinho has complained an awful lot about numerous aspects of the International Champions Cup this month. The Manchester United manager has hit out at the attendance, the inability of the event to showcase individual star players, and the general worth/value it provides to fans.
While he certainly has some valid points, (especially so about inflated ticket prices) this much is true- he’s the ONLY manager complaining. While everyone else is dealing with similar conditions, Mt. Mourinho seems to be the only one erupting.
While griping and pre-emptive excusing of failure is certainly nothing new to Mourinho, he went next level on Saturday night when he said he wouldn’t pay his own money to watch his team play in the ICC.
The atmosphere is good but if I was them, I wouldn’t come,” Mourinho said after his very depleted club was demolished 4-1 by Liverpool in Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t spend my money to see these teams. I was watching on television Chelsea against Inter and the people in Nice decided the beach was better.
“They didn’t go to the game, the stadium was empty.”
Obviously, if you’re a youth team player for United, and you’re really excited about getting your opportunities to play on this preseason exhibition tour, you’re probably disheartened to hear your own manager say such things.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/1024297062119235584
AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has a different take on the ICC series. He thinks it’s very worthwhile to fans and youth system players.
“This is a competition that gives the younger players the opportunity to show their qualities and get some playing time,” Gattuso told the media in a press conference ahead of their friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.
“But then you see boys [born in] 2000 or 2001, or in 1997 and 1998, who are great talents and they are given the opportunity to play, and show that they can do so at a high level.”
“It’s not all negative. Of course, anyone who pays wants to see the top players, but I think those who have come to the matches have enjoyed themselves.”
Point.
Counterpoint.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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