Organiser sympathises with Mourinho over International Champions Cup comments

The organiser of the International Champions Cup says he understands Jose Mourinho’s criticism of the pre-season competition.

The Manchester United manager has had a significant number of players unavailable due to post-world Cup breaks and injuries.

And, speaking after the 4-1 loss to Liverpool in Michigan at the weekend, which had an attendance of over 100,000, the Portuguese said: “I wouldn’t spend my money to see these teams.”

Regarding that comment, Charlie Stillitano, executive chairman of the ICC’S organisers Relevent Sports, told ESPN: “I understand his point. He wants even his players who have personal commitments to be here. And I read into that he wants the best for the fans and the best for us and of course the best for him. He wants his full team.

“There are challenges in a World Cup year. It gets later and later, the season seems to get earlier and earlier and it’s really a challenge for everyone. I think he was just voicing that frustration.

“We are looking at changing the format next year, but it’s a bit cyclical anyway. We might tweak the format, but it’s not a World Cup year, everyone is excited to come and I don’t think we will have anything near the same problem.”

Stillitano added: “I feel like I am president of the Jose Mourinho fan club. There’s probably not a lot of members today.

“I understand the manager, he is frustrated. It was a tough game (against Liverpool) – 100,000 people there to see you lose to your biggest rival.

“Jose has been one of the managers, maybe the top manager – him and Sir Alex Ferguson – to propel this tournament to a new level. I have nothing but admiration for him and what he does.”