Sir Alex Ferguson backs José Mourinho to manage Manchester United

• 'Mourinho could coach anywhere,' says United's manager
• Portuguese wants to win Champions League with English club

by Jamie Jackson 5 months ago

Sir Alex Ferguson says José Mourinho has the credentials to one day become Manchester United manager.

When asked if the Portuguese, who is the Real Madrid coach, could replace him, Ferguson told ITV4: "He can manage anywhere, absolutely. I'm not going to put any forecasts on what is going to happen at this club. I won't last forever, but José can manage anywhere, there is no question about that.

"I would never think a guy who hasn't played a game could be a top coach but then you've got to look at his personality. He's got a marvellous, strong personality and that bridges that gap. I remember his first press conference [at Chelsea, in 2004] and I thought: 'Christ, he's a cocky bastard, him'. He was telling the players: 'Look, I'm the special one, we don't lose games'.

"Bloody hell, coming to England, he is only a young man and saying he is the special one! But it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league."

In an interview for a documentary due to be screened on Monday night, Ferguson added that Mourinho's self-deprecation is what endears the 49-year-old to him: "When he comes into my office he can take a joke against himself, that is what I like about him. I give him a lot of stick and he laughs it off. I don't think it bothers José [having a controversial image]. He knows it is results that count."

Mourinho also states in the programme that he wants to win the Champions League with an English club. "In my career everything was perfect. The only thing I didn't, and I hope I can do it one day, is to win a Champions League with an English club. Nobody puts pressure on me because I put pressure on myself."