José Mourinho to Become Manchester United Manager?

The manager's position at Manchester United is one José Mourinho has "coveted above all others," according to the Independent.

Jose Mourinho is targeting Manchester United as his next managerial job, The Independent has learned, and intermediaries have already taken the first steps in trying to make it happen [...] Sources close to Mourinho say he has already received job offers for the start of next season, but his representatives have also reached out to United because it is the role he has coveted above all others.

None of this is really too surprising: Mourinho was said to have been deeply (and understandably) unhappy to have been overlooked when United hired David Moyes, especially having enjoyed a close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson. However, it's reassuring to hear that he'd still be up for a move to Old Trafford.



The criticism often bandied around that Mourinho's only a short-termist manager is a rather silly one, as few of the very best managers plan on sticking around at one club for the rest of their career. It would be the same with Pep Guardiola, and likely the same had we hired Jürgen Klopp. United supporters' perspectives have been warped by the great Ferguson anomaly, and what we really ought to be looking at is not how long they'll be around, but how many trophies they'll win. That in itself needn't compromise stability, providing the club's properly run in the boardroom as well as on the touchline.

In this regard, Mourinho would be one of the few outstanding appointments United could make; assuming Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti go elsewhere, it would be the only outstanding appointment. And, for the benefit of those who may have forgotten, here's a reminder of Mourinho's major successes: three Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, three League Cups, two Serie As, a Coppa Italia, a La Liga, a Copa del Rey, two Champions Leagues (including one with Porto) and a UEFA Cup. Sorry, Giggsy.