Former Manchester United academy coach Dean Whitehouse has admitted that it was “unfortunate” that one ex-Red Devils talent didn’t succeed under Jose Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford in 2016 and replaced Louis van Gaal after the Dutchman was axed as Manchester United manager.
The ‘Special One’ enjoyed success in his debut season at the Red Devils, with Mourinho leading United to a Europa League title and a League Cup.
Mourinho successfully led United to second place in the Premier League in the 2017-18 season, but the Red Devils also fell short of the FA Cup trophy to Chelsea.
The 61-year-old Portuguese manager’s spell unravelled in the 2018-19 campaign and Mourinho was sacked by the club in 2018 after a poor start to the season.
Whitehouse on Mourinho and ex-Man Utd talent
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Dean Whitehouse praised former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho for his impact on football.
However, the former United academy coach was disappointed that Angel Gomes failed to establish himself as a regular under Mourinho.
Whitehouse worked with Angel Gomes as the former United talent climbed through the youth academy ranks before he broke into the Red Devils first team.
Mourinho handed Gomes his debut after the Lille star climbed off the bench and replaced Wayne Rooney in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in 2017.
Gomes has opened up about his own experience under the former United manager and how brutal criticism from Mourinho almost left him on the verge of tears.
“I think it’s just unfortunate, and by the way, Jose Mourinho’s been one of the greatest minds the football world’s ever seen, that’s undoubted, and it’s all about opinions, isn’t it,” Whitehouse told the newspaper.
“I don’t think he was the right fit potentially for Jose at that time.”
Gomes’ reaction to Man Utd exit
Angel Gomes had multiple loan spells during his time at Old Trafford and only managed 10 appearances for the Red Devils before his exit from the club in 2020.
The 24-year-old midfielder has successfully reinvented himself as a player after his United departure and secured regular first-team opportunities at Lille.
Gomes’ success at French side Lille also led to his senior England call-up under interim Three Lions manager Lee Carsley in the September break.
Whitehouse revealed that Gomes, who has been linked with a United return, felt a “bit gutted” that his career at the Red Devils did not work out.
“I don’t know Jose, but I know from speaking to Angel when he left that he was a bit gutted, like any player who leaves his home club,” he continued.
“I don’t think he wanted to leave. I think he felt it was best at that time.”
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