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Tactics Journal

@tacticsjournal.com

tacticsjournal.comMeritocracyReal Madrid manager José Mourinho was asked by Rubén Cañizares of ABC in a press conference whether he selects players strictly on merit or sometimes gives struggling players more minutes to help them regain their form. Meritocracy, yes. But there also needs to be some flexibility. Not because of a player’s status or name, but because of the particular moment that player is going through. You have to understand what might be the best way to help a particular player. When a player isn’t doing well, there are different strategies you can use to help him recover his level. One of them, obviously, is pure meritocracy: if you’re not playing well, you’re out of the team. But pure meritocracy also has its risks. Because instead of contributing to a player’s recovery, you might actually contribute to that player needing even more time to return to his normal level. You’re probably referring to Vinícius. And I’m not going to hide from that. What hurts me, what makes me sad, is understanding how much Vinícius wants to be the Vinícius who wins matches, who wins titles, who wins Champions Leagues, who makes the difference. What hurts me is seeing the pain that he feels. Because he’s a young man who, to my surprise, is extraordinary. He’s working incredibly hard to get back to his best. Now, to answer your question directly: Will he always play until we get our Vinícius back? Or will there come a particular moment when I think that the best way to help him is through a specific plan? A plan that might mean he doesn’t play, or that he goes to the bench? We’ll try to find the best way to help the player.Mourinho has discussed meritocracy throughout his career.In August 2010, before his first league match as Real Madrid manager, Mourinho explained why he had selected young Sergio Canales to start against Mallorca: “For me, a player doesn’t play because he has more prestige or cost more money.”In June 2013, defending his decision to bench Iker Casillas in favor of Diego López, he said: “I am a coach who seeks meritocracy. The player I think is best should play. Without looking at status or the past. You play as you train.”In August 2019, while discussing Frank Lampard’s Chelsea team selection as a television pundit, Mourinho said: “You have to go during the season for meritocracy, the ones who deserve to play are the ones who have to play.” He distinguished that from the beginning of a season, when managers must judge which players are ready to contribute.Quotes translated into English.

9/10/26, 7:06 pm·0 reposts·0 likes