Eddie Jones opens up about his coaching philosophy and addresses Danny Care’s criticism in a candid conversation about his time with England

For years, Eddie Jones has been one of the most talked-about figures in rugby—sometimes for his coaching genius, other times for his blunt, no-nonsense approach.

Whether leading England to a World Cup final or facing criticism from former players, he’s never been one to shy away from the spotlight.

Recently, he sat down for an open and honest conversation about his coaching methods, the backlash from former England scrum-half Danny Care, and where things went wrong during his time at Twickenham.

The Mind Games and Media Persona

If you’ve ever watched an Eddie Jones press conference, you know it’s anything but boring.

His sharp wit, tactical mind games, and ability to grab headlines have made him one of rugby’s most intriguing characters.

Jones is well aware of his reputation. “I haven’t set out to be the villain,” he says.

“The media is a big part of the game, and if there’s an opportunity to help your team win, you take it.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

As someone who has spent years on the receiving end of his strategies, former Wales star Dan Biggar admits he always found Jones fascinating—even if, at the time, he was the enemy on the field.

Responding to the Danny Care Criticism

One of the biggest controversies surrounding Jones’ time with England came from Danny Care, who likened playing under him to living in a “dictatorship” where players were “terrified” of making mistakes.

Jones, however, doesn’t see it that way. He insists his coaching decisions were never personal.

“I remember when we played Japan in 2018, and it was a terrible performance.

We had been on a good run, but I could feel it slipping,” he recalls.

“I knew I had to refresh the team, and Care was one of the players to go. Not because he wasn’t good, but because we needed something different.”

Jones was surprised by Care’s comments, saying, “I always thought we had a good relationship, so it came as a bit of a shock.

But when you end a player’s international career, it never ends well.”

The Mourinho Comparison and His Coaching Philosophy

Over the years, many have compared Jones to football’s José Mourinho—someone who makes an immediate impact but eventually burns out his teams. Jones, however, disagrees.

“Look at the teams I’ve coached—Brumbies, Australia, England for seven years.

That’s not just a quick in-and-out job,” he argues. “It’s a great story for people to tell, but it’s not true.”

His approach to coaching has always been about adapting to the team in front of him.

“I’ve coached teams with a high kicking game like England. I’ve coached Japan to play a fast, running game.

Every team needs a style that fits their players,” he explains.

Coaching Through Tough Decisions

Jones is no stranger to making hard calls, whether dropping players or dealing with the pressure of international coaching.

“When you tell a player he’s been dropped, he doesn’t hear anything else after that,” he says. “I learned that myself when I got sacked by Australia in 2005.

It took me two years to accept responsibility for it.”

His ability to push players to their limits has sometimes been viewed as harsh, but he believes it’s necessary.

“Can you make a horse run faster? Of course, but it’s about finding the right balance—not pushing too hard, but not being too soft either,” he explains.

Finding Inspiration from Football

Jones has always been a student of the game, learning from coaches in other sports.

He recalls a meeting with Louis van Gaal, who offered a simple but powerful coaching philosophy.

“He said if a circle represents your ideal game plan, you have to understand how much of that your team can actually achieve,” Jones shares.

“Some coaches just stick to one style no matter what. I try to adapt to my players.”

He also sees a connection with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

“They’ve won everything for four years, but when they slip, people start questioning the greatest coach in the world.

That’s the nature of coaching,” he says.

Looking Back at England and the 2019 World Cup

Jones’ tenure with England had its highs and lows, but reaching the 2019 World Cup final was undoubtedly a highlight. However, he admits there were mistakes.

“Everyone was hyping us up before that final,” he says.

“I tried to get the balance right, but I couldn’t quite do it, and that’s on me.

I wanted to change the team, but I had battles with my assistants about it.”

He acknowledges that in high-stakes environments, things don’t always go as planned.

“Sometimes I’m the worst dictator because I don’t even listen to myself!” he jokes.

What’s Next for Eddie Jones?

Since leaving England, Jones has had a turbulent return to Australia before taking the reins at Japan once again. But even at 65, he’s not done yet.

“I still have dreams of coaching cricket in the IPL,” he reveals.

And in a surprising twist, he’s also been seen wearing a Tottenham hat lately—to support fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou, who is currently managing Spurs.

His love for the game hasn’t faded, but he admits rugby has become too predictable.

“I get bored watching sometimes. It’s so cookie-cutter. Everyone plays the same way,” he says.

But as long as Eddie Jones is still in the game, one thing is for sure—it’ll never be boring.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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