After returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January, 24-year-old Jadon Sancho has rediscovered his form. He featured prominently for Edin Terzic’s team in the Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley.
At Manchester United’s Old Trafford, Sancho’s situation became difficult, culminating in a public spat with manager Erik ten Hag. In September, Ten Hag criticized Sancho’s training performance. When Sancho refused to apologize, he was excluded from all first-team facilities.
This incident caused significant controversy, with Jose Mourinho suggesting that Ten Hag should share some responsibility for the player’s decline at Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho, a Portuguese football manager, pointed out the complexities behind Sancho’s poor performance at Manchester United after their UEFA Champions League defeat. Since moving back to Borussia Dortmund on loan, Sancho has shown a marked improvement, showcasing his true potential.
In a pre-Champions League match interview with TNT Sports, Mourinho discussed Sancho, emphasizing the player’s undeniable talent. He acknowledged that while Sancho made mistakes, Ten Hag also failed to bring out the best in him.
Mourinho suggested that Manchester United needs to analyze what went wrong with Sancho and understand what Dortmund did right upon his return.
Mourinho reflected on his own experiences, underscoring the importance of a manager’s relationship with their players.
He admitted to past failures in understanding players’ needs or showing sufficient empathy, which sometimes hindered their development.
However, he emphasized that more often than not, he succeeded by understanding the player’s nature and helping them grow properly. Mourinho highlighted that responsibility for a player’s performance is rarely single-faceted; it usually involves the manager, the player, their family, agents, and the club.
Mourinho explained that his role as a coach was often to extract the best from young players and aid in their future development, though not always successfully.
He stressed that experienced coaches encounter similar situations and should strive to guide players appropriately.
Despite multiple factors influencing a player’s performance, the manager’s role remains crucial in understanding and nurturing their potential.
In summary, while Jadon Sancho faced significant challenges at Manchester United, his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund has revitalized his career.
Mourinho’s insights highlight the multifaceted nature of player management and the shared responsibility among various stakeholders in fostering a player’s success.
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