Son Heung-min revealed that Jose Mourinho had once publicly reprimanded him during a game, suggesting that he might not be suited for matches against teams like Burnley and Stoke City, which were considered particularly tough.
Son expressed his frustration with the public nature of this criticism, highlighting that, as an experienced player, he did not expect to be treated in such a manner.
However, Mourinho later sent Son a message clarifying his intentions. In the message, Mourinho explained that his aim was not to target or hurt Son personally but to set a standard for the rest of the team. Mourinho stated that holding the best player accountable—whom he identified as Son—was necessary to ensure that other players did not become complacent.
Son recounted, “One time Mourinho told me off during the game. [He said] ‘I don’t think you want to be in a game with a team like Burnley or Stoke (rough game)’ in front of all the players and I was so upset about it, I’m not even an 18-19-year-old to be treated like that.” He further noted, “Later after the match, the coach texted me, ‘I know you understand that it wasn’t my intention to target and hurt you. But I need to make sure that other players are not being lazy, and I need to show them by telling off the best player in the team, and for me, that player is you.’ And after reading that text, I feel good.”
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