Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho insists that only a “special manager” can be the next Manchester United boss, succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, when the Scot finally ends his managerial career.
The Red Devil’s current boss will turn 69 in December, and speculation, as always, is roaming all around Old Trafford concerning who would be the man in the dugout when Sir Alex leaves.
Speaking to The Mirror, Mourinho said he is not surprised that the Manchester United hot-seat is a big discussion point in the press, with managers including Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola, Everton’s David Moyes, and himself considered to be the top candidates.
However, the former Porto, Chelsea, and Inter coach believes Ferguson will not be leaving the club any time soon.
“Football without Alex Ferguson? I’m not sure that will happen any day soon.”
“The man lives and breathes football and Manchester United is his club.”
“His hunger and desire to win the biggest trophies remains so I cannot see the day he considers walking away from football approaching.”
“Like Real Madrid, the Manchester United job is special and only a special manager is good enough to take the job on if and when it does become available.”
“Of course, jobs like that don’t become available every day so the interest will be vast. Like Madrid, it’s a job everyone will want.”
Speaking about the Wayne Rooney saga, Jose Mourinho said that he “wasn’t surprised” that Wayne didn’t leave, as Old Trafford is the 25 year-old’s one and only home in football.
Mourinho’s Real Madrid were considered, alongside Manchester City, the club who was mostly going to chase the former Everton star, only to see Rooney extend his contract a further 5 years.
“Could I ever see him leaving? Never. He is Manchester United through and through and he is working with one of the best coaches in football. He’s a great player but he belongs to United. I wasn’t surprised to see him stay, I expected it.”
“There was no way Alex Ferguson would have considered selling him, not to anyone. If you take the decision to leave a club like United there are not many options open to you. Few clubs come any bigger.”
But for now, the two-time UEFA Champions League winner will stay at the Bernabeu, as he looks forward to help Los Blancos to silverware.
“Madrid is a special club and came to me at special time in my career.”
“After winning my second Champions League and after my success at Chelsea and Inter, the Real job and the challenge to be successful was very appealing.”
“I came to a team that had had no success for two years and faced the challenge of a very special Barcelona team and some of the great clubs in Europe in the Champions League.”
“Despite everything and all the success I have enjoyed, my desire to continue winning remains. I love a challenge and this is a huge challenge for me.”
“Madrid didn’t win the Champions league for 10 years, the Spanish Cup for 19 years and haven’t won the Championship for three. So there is a great deal of work to be done. I love the pressure and that is immediate at a club like this because failure doesn’t sit comfortably with anyone.”
Finally, Mourinho said that he has some 15 years ahead of him in his managerial career, but insisted that he is not going to think about retirement for a “long time to come”.
“I still have at least 10 or 15 years left in football management,” he said. “Naturally a day will come when my circumstances change and I will want to lead a quieter life.
“But it is not something I will be giving any consideration too for a long time to come.”
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