What ISL coaches think of Mourinho’s 10-minute test

Jose Mourinho may be struggling currently. But he remains a great coach. Recently, he said that he could tell in 10 minutes if a player was ready for the top flight. We asked some ISL coaches if they agree with the Special One’s statement.

Peter Taylor, Kerala Blasters

"If Mourinho needs ten minutes, I’ll need an hour and ten minutes. He’s one of the best. I’ve always been a coach and manager who’s given young players a chance. If they are good players I’m very happy to throw them in and see if they can handle the situation."

Zico, FC Goa

"I agree with Mourinho on this point. Sometimes just by looking at a player you can tell whether he is ready for the top fl ight. But besides skill there are other factors that contribute to the success of a player. Mentally and emotionally he needs to be strong. And he needs to be committed to the sport as well."

David Platt, FC Pune City

"I’m not that special, so… (laughs). Listen, coaches and managers give sound bytes and Jose is very good at that. I agree with him that he could do it in ten minutes. I think it is a diffi cult thing to do (for the most part). To be honest, unless you’ve lived with a player and seen his characteristics, it’d be diffi cult."

Antonio Habas, Atletico de Kolkata

"It’s possible. But you got to see them in their bad moments and good moments. There are some players with whom you can know immediately, there are others with a different personality with whom you may need more time."

César Farias, NorthEast United FC

Ponders the question after it is translated for him by his team’s star Simao Sabrosa. He gives a long answer in his native tongue to Sabrosa. Finally he shrugs his shoulders. Sabrosa turns to the press and condenses his manager’s answer. "Mourinho is Mourinho."


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (Reuters)