Portuguese Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes there are too many foreign managers in the Premier League and has encouraged British coaches to seek work abroad as a road into England’s top tier.
The Chelsea boss and his side travel to the iPro Stadium on Sunday to play a Derby County side who have experienced an upturn in results since September’s appointment of Steve McClaren.
And while McClaren is now impressively rebuilding his career, he sought managerial vacancies abroad after his coaching reputation was dealt a severe blow in the wake of England’s failed Euro 2008 qualification campaign.
As such, Mourinho believes the former England boss has benefitted from a period away from domestic leagues and suggested successful stints with FC Twente have revived the 52-year-old’s career and set a precedent for out-of-work British managers to follow.
“If you ask me, the first thing that comes to my memory about Steve is not being the England manager but being champion in Holland,” the 50-year-old said.
“To go abroad is a fantastic experience and sometimes it looks like Enlish players and managers don’t like to go abroad.
“What is happening now is that they don’t go abroad but others are coming to their country.
“I think Steve had that experience. For sure, it was a great one as it was in completely different cultures compared to England in terms of football.
“At this moment in the Premier League – and I know I’m speaking against myself – I disagree with so many foreign coaches in this country.
“It’s because I don’t see a reason for that – I don’t feel English managers are in any point behind the foreign ones.
“But if there are no jobs in the country as a manager or a player then you have to go.
“This is a short professional life, so go and enjoy and you always have the chance to come back as a manager and a player.
