Manchester United’s Next Manager: Jose Mourinho?

The Special One has been without a job since being sacked by Chelsea in December of last year, although we’re pretty sure he’s not really suffering. Anyone of us “normal” people would probably love being in his position – getting fired and receiving a hefty £12 million severance package. Nonetheless, it’s not about money when it comes to Mourinho (considering he’s been sacked several times so far in his career, resulting in big payouts). No, it’s about the game for him, and he’s in need of another club.

(Image credit: The Mirror)

The side that’s been linked to the Portuguese in the press is perhaps the most iconic club in the Premier League with 20 domestic titles. Louis van Gaal may be shown the exit door at Old Trafford, which has sparked speculation as to Manchester United’s next manager, and Mourinho is considered to be among the prime targets to take over.

Manager of the highest calibre

2010 Champions League triumph with Inter (Image credit: 101 Great Goals)

Say what you want about him, love him or hate him, but he’s an iconic manager that has won countless trophies for the sides he has represented. With the number of titles under his belt he puts some managers to shame; achieving more than them in a shorter period of time.

Clinching his first Champions League title in 2004 with Porto put him on the map. He managed to win Europe’s most coveted trophy with a side that was viewed by many as an underdog, lacking the pedigree the bigger sides in the competition had at that time. He then continued his adventure with Chelsea, where he won them their first two trophies in 50 years, winning the Premier League in 2005 and 2006.

While at Italian side Inter, Mourinho went on to achieve unprecedented success with the treble in 2009-10, sealing the domestic cup, league and the Champions League all in one season. After that he left for Real Madrid, where he added another league title in 2012 among other titles to his already impressive trophy cabinet.

Chelsea came calling for a second time and he gladly accepted, although there were rumors that he was initially looking to land himself the Man United job, following Ferguson’s retirement. Mounrinho landed the Blues another Premier League title in 2015, but, as we now know, he was sacked from the job only seven months after clinching the trophy.

But the number of titles he’s won in his career so far cannot be ignored. What works in his favour is that he has real Premier League experience and knows how to handle the press, the fans and most importantly, the direct football aspects. That’s why he’s the favourite to become Manchester United’s next manager.

Competition is alive

Who will it be? Giggs, Mourinho or Guardiola?

It seems that at this moment there are two men that can spoil the dream for Mourinho, and their names are: Ryan Giggs and Pep Guardiola – the latter being his old foe. And the concern is real for the Portuguese.

Giggs has been at the club since he was still a youngster and there’s no one else that knows the club’s philosophy better than him. That’s the reason why van Gaal selected him to be the assistant manager in the first place. He’s tipped to be the next boss of Man United, however recently reports have emerged he may be looking to leave the club if they appoint Mourinho instead of him, according to the Mirror. Currently, BetVictor Sports ranks Giggs second favourite 4.33 (10/3) to get the job, right behind the former Chelsea boss. The problem with appointing the Giggs as Manchester United’s next manager comes down to lack of experience. Yes, he played nearly one thousand games for them, but management is quite different. So, it wouldn’t be the wisest choice to make him the successor to Louis van Gaal.

Guardiola has announced that he’ll be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of this season, and he has publicly stated the Premier League will be his next destination. Although the Catalan didn’t announce his preferred club, the options for him are limited. Arsenal will likely stick with Wenger for a few more years, while Chelsea doesn’t seem to suit Guardiola’s philosophy. That only leaves the two big sides of Manchester: City and United. Two of Man City’s directors used to work with Guardiola while he managed Barcelona, so it would make sense to think he might be leaving towards the Sky Blues. But the chance of becoming Manchester United’s next manager might prove too big a job to pass on, if handed the opportunity. Guardiola’s odds of taking over the Red Devils are 9.00 (8/1).

Online sportsbooks give Mourinho favourite odds when it comes to taking over the Man United job, with BetVictor Sports offering odds of 1.50 (1/2).

According to The Guardian, Mourinho sobbed when he found out in 2013 that he wouldn’t be replacing Ferguson as Manchester United’s next manager. It tells you everything you have to know about a man when he cries for a football club. Let’s hope the Man United hierarchy don’t make the same mistake twice by saying no to him.