Jose Mourninho: I Would Love to Coach United to 1-0 Victories

By: Taylor Rockwell | July 28th, 2009

In a move that will surely not please Inter Milan fans, Jose Mourinho indicated that he would be a willing replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson when/if the aging Scotsman ever retires. “I would consider going to Manchester United, but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson. If they do, then of course. I like England, where the fans are very passionate and make a game a beautiful occasion with such an incredible atmosphere.” I guess that statement shouldn’t be a surprise coming from the man who only a few weeks ago publicly discussed how much easier it was to manager in England (before also going on record as not being friends with new Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti).

In the past, I have always thought Mourinho would be my ideal replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson. However, the more I think about it, the less certain I am that that deal would ever work out for both parties. Mourinho’s second comment of the evening elucidated why. “I had many conversations before Chelsea and I decided on a divorce. It was difficult for me because we loved each other, but the relationship went in one direction and it was best for everyone. Since I left I became champion again but they have not been champions again. I keep winning and they don’t.”

For a club that just spent the better part of two years trying to shoulder the burden of a player with an insane ego, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have an even bigger ego as a head coach. On the one hand, it would probably suck all the air out of the room, thereby killing all other egos. But on the other, do a club like United (who have always valued the badge over the player) need a coach who always comes first?

Some might say that Fergie is the same way; that he’s just as arrogant and self-promoting as Mourinho. I might agree to some extent. However, the major difference between the two is their overall managerial style. Fergie builds teams and fosters youth development. He’s led multiple revolutions and has always had an eye for very young talent. Can the same be said of Mourinho? The man who managed Chelsea when they decided it was only logical to sign Shevchenko and Ballack? Perhaps a club like United needs a manager with the confidence to survive. However, United aren’t Chelsea. They don’t go out and drop money as if they had their own printing presses (at least, not any more). Could Mourninho survive in that environment? Who knows? He’s led three different teams to three major titles. He’s gone toe-to-toe with the best managers and clubs in the world. In puppet form, he’s destroyed Sven, Rafa, Voyeur, and Potato at nearly every turn.

Somehow, and I’m sure I will get crushed for this, I just don’t see it working out longterm.

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steven.

the pleasure is all mine ..
MAD

Insults already?

My, you BPL guys really are unimaginative...
Joel

I appreciate your detailed level of insight, steven.
steven.

one fat head leads to another.....
MAD

I agree, Mourinho is terrible.

Better to leave him where he is.
elle

Please not Jose. It's hard enough to stay awake during 4 am games when the team is attacking and entertaining. Imagine if they were defending and boring.
As the next gaffer I'd like to see Blanc, O'Neil, Moyes, or Ole. But I'm not really sold on any of them. There's only one Fergie.
Sarit P.

Ole is being groomed, as has been said. Laurent Blanc would be another good option, he's done well in France, and he seems a smart guy.

Have to imagine Giggs and Gaz will be around in some capacity as well.
Taylor Rockwell

It was just a joke... perhaps I should remove the quotations...
James Collins

Where does Mourinho say "I would love to coach United to 1-0 victories"? I don't understand the context.
Ramzi

Taylor, hm...so you belong to the "will be shocked group" ? :D

Well, at least I hope you will be shocked, not me. Because your shock will be for free, my shock costed money, 45 m + :D

And when you witness the shocking performance you will buy me a drink on this blog page!

Yet, for the record. I believe You made one of the smartest deals signing Owen. Lot of people feel about him the same they feel about Ibra at Barcelona. I think you will end up cruising the EPL pages of the blog dressed in a wide smile. (if thats english!). Mark my words.
Taylor Rockwell

Ramzi, well said... although I do love the "no need to mention"... pause... but then let me just go ahead an mention... Enjoy Ibra in the Champions League... he scores lots of important goals when the spotlight is directly on him...
Ramzi

Mourinho is a good coach. But he is just a good coach. He is far from being a special one or anything. Its just the coaches luck.

He had the best generation of players at porto since the invention of hot water. That season most of the big teams in europe (including Man utd) were more in a transition period. Proof? Who was the other team in that CL final? Monaco. No offense but can anyone imagine having such a final next season? Big teams are back on the stage. anyways, he won that one, thanks for a blind free kick against Man Utd in the semi final.

And because he won the CL, Chealsea hired him. I imagibe who would have been the manager of chelsea if Monaco won that final.

At Chelsea he had a titanic squad. A Man City-spending style (Ironically Chelsea fans Criticize man City now :D). He won the league couple pf times, then when Man Utd new squad matured, thats it. Vanished.

Mean while he and his passive tactics didnt click at the CL stage anymore.

He won at inter? Holly crap even Mancini won the league with that inter squad, but who were the opponents? Juventus coming back to serious business after the consequences of serie B relegation, Milan with an aging squad, Roma with financial crises. But then if you take the games of inter last season, he was actually outclassed tactically week in week out. Against ancelotti in the derby. Against sampdoria, juventus... He was so far from being anything special.

Yet he had an Ibra (we got him now :D).

Great coaches are the likes of Cappello. Genius tactical minds are the likes of Hiddink. Game sharp readers are the likes of lippi. Team builders are the like of Sir Alex. Mou, is another good coach.

No need to mention the shrewd instinct at picking transfer targets. Mancini, quarizma....
Joel

Maureen isn't a good choice. One of the big things that made me a Utd fan was the attacking style of play. My choice is to bring 20le up from the reserve team. Alex's hand-picked and groomed replacement.
martin

I've said this before but I would hate it if Mourinho became our new manager. I don't know what the big fuss about him is anyway, his football is boring, depressing even. I think David Moyes.
JLC21

I can't seem to decide. One minute I think he'd be the perfect replacement, then the next minute I remember how much I hated him while he was at Chelsea.

But one thing I think is key -- whoever takes over from Fergie is going to have the most difficult job in the history of the Premiership. It needs to be someone with a huge ego, tons of confidence, thick skin, a way with the press -- Mourinho ticks every box. We all know he wouldn't be around forever -- and that's fine. I think he would be perfect for 2 or 3 years, as a buffer between Fergie and whoever we groom/anoint as the longterm successor (Blanc?).