Jose Mourinho Claims Football Could Soon Be Played Without Goalkeepers

• Jose Mourinho has predicted an evolution that would see matches played without goalkeepers
• The Portuguese believes outfield players will take over the role, with keepers becoming obsolete
• Goalkeepers have formed a key part of football for years, with the role evolving over the years

He sees managers strategically substituting goalkeepers with outfield players late in games to gain an advantage.

Jose Mourinho has sensationally claimed that a genius football innovation will lead to matches being played without goalkeepers.

The Portuguese tactician's suggestion would get the game back to the pre-1860s when there were no designated goalkeepers.

At the time, whichever player was closest to the goal when the ball came near would attempt to stop it.

Revealed! The Top 10 Worst Players in the Premier League ever.

Football

However, as football rules became more formalised, the goalkeeper position emerged, with the position becoming as critical as any of the other 10 squad roles.

According to the Analyst, for the longest time, goalkeepers have been seen as little more than the person who attempts to keep the ball out of the net.

Mourinho predicts evolution of the goalkeeper's role

However, Mourinho contends that the position could further evolve in the coming years, with goalkeepers now playing as essentially an 11th outfield player.

The 61-year-old said that managers will be forced to take off goalkeepers and substitute them with outfield players in a situation where their teams need to secure late wins.

"Why do you play with a goalkeeper, even if he is good with his feet, almost in the midfield, if you can do that with a proper player? I can see that substitution happening. And the coach who does it will be considered a genius," he said via The Telegraph.

REVEALED! The top 20 dirtiest NBA players of all time

NBA

"To have an extra player there … when the opposition is very low in the block and 10 minutes left? Let’s try it – yeah!" he continued.

The Portuguese also talked about central defenders playing in wide defensive positions, saying that there is no need to play five to six players central defenders.

Mourinho names players he enjoyed coaching

Earlier, Sports Brief also reported on Mourinho listing eight players he enjoyed coaching the most during his career.

The Portuguese has enjoyed a largely successful managerial journey that has seen him coach world-class players.