Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has urged more British players and managers to follow the example of Steve McClaren by broadening their footballing horizons and plying their trade abroad.
McClaren was out of favour in England after failing to guide the national team to Euro 2008, but the Yorkshireman rebuilt his reputation on the continent during spells at FC Twente and Wolfsburg.
The 52-year-old is now in charge of Derby County, who face Mourinho's Chelsea in the FA Cup later today.
"I disagree with so many foreign coaches in this country," Mourinho told reporters. "I don't see a reason for that because I don't see the English managers are at any point behind the foreign ones.
"Influence from abroad is good, you can learn from other cultures, but I think the main culture has to always be the English, in this case the British, culture. But I think if there are no jobs in the country as a manager or as a player you have to go, because this is a short professional life. So go and enjoy. You have always the chance to come back.
"In this country, people shouldn't be afraid to be a bit adventurous, like other coaches from other nationalities. Football is the same everywhere: 11 against 11, one ball, two goals. To go abroad is a fantastic experience and sometimes it looks like English players, English managers, they don't like to go abroad."
Under McClaren, Derby have won 10 of 14 league matches since September.
No Data Analysis info
