Cruyff questions Mourinho credentials

Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff feels Jose Mourinho would be a better coach if he had played at the highest level himself.

The 50-year-old Mourinho is seen as one of the best coaches in the history of the game by some after he enjoyed success with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and now Real Madrid, yet Cruyff is not entirely convinced of his abilities.

“He is a very good coach, but he has never played the game himself. He misses something and that shows,” Cruyff told Cadena COPE.

“Those of us who have played notice certain details. That does not mean that he is not a good coach, though.

“He has a lot of good players and he could get more out of some of them. But you have to give them a certain freedom. (Luka) Modric for example is a great player, but it all depends on how you use him.”

The Barcelona icon went on to praise Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Oezil, stating that the latter would fit in well at Barcelona.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is having a fantastic season. He’s scoring a lot of goals and brings a spectacle to the stadium. Madrid should be very happy with him,” he said.

“Oezil has enough quality to adapt his game to a team like Barcelona. If you have the ability to play one-touch football, you have a lot of quality.”