Double Win for Manchester United – Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

Jose Mourinho is eyeing a return to management in July, which might coincide in a reunion with his former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

(Image credit:The Guardian)

Mourinho recently coached a FIFA Legends team while in Mexico, and confessed that he missed the action of regular football, before adding that he will be signing a contract with a club by June 30. “Of course I miss it. In July I will be back. So we are in May. May to July in nothing. I keep enjoying my life which I’m doing, keep enjoying my family. But in July I am back,” said Mourinho.

In reference to rumours linking him with the Man United job, he stressed, “I don’t know. I know nothing about it really. I don’t have a club and I was waiting for these guys (FIFA Legends) to win the match to give me a hand but because I lost the match (9-8) it’s even more difficult to get the club.”

The Portuguese also described the nature of operations at major clubs, highlighting that it’s challenging for them to acclimatize themselves to the new manager if they bring him in late in the season. “It’s difficult because when you get a new club in this period normally the clubs they did already their work. I give you an example. I’m not the Chelsea manager but I organised the Chelsea pre-season in many aspects because I did that 10 months ago,” said Mourinho.

“Clubs have their commercial, marketing departments always involved in everything. When a new manager arrives in May, June it’s very difficult to touch in some points but we know that. Scouting is done during the year. It’s not even a competition like the Euros where you are going to find by miracle some new talents,” the 53-year-old said. “We know everybody, so it’s just a question of trying to choose the players that your team needs because the scouting, with our structures, we do it for many, many players.”

One player that could join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United is the iconic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish international recently tweeted on his official account that his four-year stay at the French capital is coming to a close, with his final game at Parc des Princes set to be against Nantes on Saturday evening. “My last game tomorrow at Parc des Princes. I came like a king, left like a legend,” said the caption on Ibrahimovic’s account.

The pair enjoyed a great relationship at Inter (Image credit: The Sun)

Unibet Sports is one of the few online sportsbook to offer odds on Ibrahimovic’s next destination. (You can find this special market under “Transfers” at Unibet Sports.) Los Angeles Galaxy are the favourites 1.40 (2/5) to sign the imposing striker, however there has been more speculation about a possible move to England before he makes a final switch to America.

(For more info about the online sportsbook, check out Unibet Sports Review.)

Manchester United are the second favourites to capture Ibrahimovic 4.00 (3/1), as it would see him reunited with “The Special One” whom he worked with in his final season at Inter, before he departed for Barcelona in the summer of 2009. The Swede has lavished praise on the Portuguese manager on countless occasions, while his autobiography “I Am Zlatan” he describes Mourinho as one of the best managers he’s ever played under.

While playing for PSG, Ibrahimovic commented on their relationship in an interview: “When I had him in Inter, I had a great relationship with him, and I didn’t have any problems with him…either you connect or don’t connect, and I think I connected with him.” Seeing the pair reunited at Manchester United could lead to some spectacular football, and hopefully help bring back the iconic club back to glory.

Another possibility for Ibrahimovic is a return to former club AC Milan 10.00 (9/1), however the once powerful Italian side is no longer challenging for trophies and their financial position could not afford his massive wages, which are rumoured to be over €14 million per season.

West Ham 12.00 (11/1) are another touted destination, while joining the ranks of Arsene Wenger’s side at the Emirates 15.00 (14/1) is not viewed as a serious possibility. Chelsea are sixth favourites 15.00 (14/1) to land him, while playing for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool is also unlikely 34.00 (33/1), per online sportsbook Unibet. Staying at PSG for another season doesn’t seem to be on the cards 26.00 (25/1), considering his recent Twitter post.