Jose Mourinho blames Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag for Jadon Sancho struggles at Old Trafford, In a blistering interview with Spanish media, the Portuguese manager did not hold back in laying the blame for Jadon Sancho’s faltering career at Old Trafford squarely at the feet of the Dutchman as he sends strong words to Erik ten Hag. Mourinho, who is never one to shy away from controversy, claimed that ten Hag’s failure to properly integrate Sancho into the United setup had been a key factor in the player’s decline.

Jose Mourinho has openly criticized Erik ten Hag’s management style, particularly regarding the treatment of Jadon Sancho at Manchester United.

The former United manager, Mourinho, believes that Ten Hag is largely responsible for Sancho’s difficulties during his tenure at Old Trafford. Sancho, who returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January after two-and-a-half tumultuous seasons with the Red Devils, recently featured in the starting lineup for Dortmund in the Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley.

In an interview with TNT ahead of the Champions League final, Mourinho reflected on Sancho’s situation: “As a player, his talent is undeniable. We have seen what he is capable of. What happened at Man United… I can relate to from my own experiences. Sometimes, I failed with players. I couldn’t always create the right connection or understand a player’s personality, and thus couldn’t help them develop properly. Most of the time, yes, I succeeded, but there were instances where I didn’t.”

Mourinho continued by stressing the importance of learning from these experiences. He noted, “We must learn from our experiences, which is something I always strive to do, to understand a player’s nature. Sometimes, they have the talent but lack the mindset you want. For sure, Sancho made mistakes, but his manager also couldn’t bring out the best in him.”

Mourinho also emphasized the complexity of a player’s performance, noting that multiple factors are usually at play. “It’s rarely just about the manager, the player, the family, the agent, or the club alone,” he elaborated. Reflecting on his own coaching career, Mourinho admitted that while he often succeeded in helping young players reach their potential, there were times when he didn’t. “We are part of it. Coaches with more experience, who have seen similar situations repeatedly, try to guide players in the right direction.”

Regarding Sancho’s case, Mourinho believes a thorough analysis is necessary. “In this situation, they need to analyze what happened at Man United and what he found in Dortmund,” he said. Such an analysis could provide insights into why Sancho struggled at Manchester United and found success upon returning to Borussia Dortmund.

Mourinho’s comments highlight the challenges managers face in developing young talent, particularly when players have great potential but may not fit seamlessly into the team’s dynamics or the manager’s vision. His remarks also suggest a need for introspection and adaptability among managers to better understand and support their players’ unique needs and attributes.

These insights emphasize the multifaceted nature of football management, where understanding and nurturing individual players can significantly impact their success and the overall performance of the team. Mourinho’s critique of Ten Hag underscores the delicate balance managers must maintain between enforcing discipline and fostering a supportive environment for their players.