‘So many clubs have owners who understand nothing about football’ – José Mourinho defends Lyon head coach Pierre Sage and takes dig at John Textor | OneFootball

Fenerbahçe head coach José Mourinho has defended his fellow Lyon counterpart Pierre Sage as pressure mounts on the OL head coach after a string of disappointing results, including an embarrassing Coupe de France exit at the hands of fifth-tier side Bourgoin-Jallieu. Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe hosted Sage’s Les Gones for a Europa League tie this Thursday. The game ended goalless, which is a good result for Lyon as they remain fifth in the Europa League standings with a home game to spare against Ludogorets.

Speaking to Canal+, Mourinho has defended Sage and took a slight dig at Lyon president and owner John Textor. Asked about the rumors about Sage’s future, with former AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca touted as his replacement, the Portuguese manager has lamented that “so many clubs have owners and presidents who understand nothing about football.“

The two-time Champions League winner with FC Porto (2004) and Inter Milan (2010) said he regretted the time when presidents, such as Lyon’s Jean-Michel Aulas or Porto’s Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, could last 20 years because they understood football. Mourinho added that Lyon are a good team, and that football teams are as good as their manager. Lyon will play FC Nantes this Sunday.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval