Manchester United’s Next Manager: There’s Only Room for “The Special One”

Jose Mourinho is the bookies favourite to become Manchester United’s next manager.

(Image credit: The Sun)

Louis van Gaal’s men sit fifth in the Premier League and are likely to miss out on Champions League action next season, for the second time in three years. Since Jose Mourinho has been shown the door by Chelsea late last year, he’s been touted as the prime candidate to replace the Dutchman and become Manchester United’s next manager.

Former Liverpool players Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness engaged in a debate in Sky Sports’ “Monday Night Football” as to the likelihood of the Portuguese receiving a call from the club hierarchy appointing him the new boss at Old Trafford.

“(Mourinho) is in the elite group of managers that could do that job, where the crowd would be happy with him being there,” said Souness. “I just think that they’ve had such a miserable time during the season that if they were wanting Jose I think they would have gone for him before now.”

The former Liverpool midfielder stressed that Mourinho boasts an impressive CV, considering he’s won all there is to win in club football. “He’s got the qualifications. He’s the man if you are looking for someone to come in, stir the pot, get everyone at it and win trophies. He’s your man.”

Despite admiring him, Souness remains reserved about the idea of Mourinho becoming Manchester United’s next manager. “But I just feel if it was going to happen, it would have happened before now,” said the 62-year-old.

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Carragher commented on the current state of the club and what The Red Devils support would expect from the bosses. “I don’t think the Manchester United fans would want him to stay even if they make the top four and win the FA Cup,” highlighted Carragher. “It’s a major decision. I think if they can get Jose Mourinho I would still do it because he’s an upgrade on Louis van Gaal. It wouldn’t be a case of van Gaal’s won the FA Cup and for Champions League, who can we get?”

The former Liverpool defender concluded that anyone that’s appointed Manchester United’s next manager would have to be of the right pedigree, and “The Special One” is just that. “It would have to be an upgrade on van Gaal and Jose Mourinho is that. The fact he’s available, I’d still do it,” Carragher said.

(Image credit: The Sun)

BetVictor Sports offers two different markets regarding Manchester United’s next manager, and both of them strongly favour the Portuguese. “Next Permanent Manchester United Manager” market offers odds of 1.20 (1/5), while current PSG boss Laurent Blanc is second favourite for the post 5.00 (4/1), although there have been no signs that the Frenchman is dissatisfied with his position at Parc des Princes.

The other candidates at the top of this market are Mauricio Pochettino 6.00 (5/1) and Man United legend Ryan Giggs 7.00 (6/1). The former is currently in talks with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy about signing a contract extension according to ESPN, while the latter is not viewed as a serious contender to be Manchester United’s next manager due to his lack of experience.

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Since he’s “The Special One,” BetVictor Sports also has a special market just for Jose Mourinho (how appropriate). The unique market is titled “Jose Mourinho Next Managerial Role” and it also gives the best odds to Old Trafford becoming his next home 1.33 (1/3). PSG is right behind with odds of 3.25 (9/4), while Everton and his former club Real Madrid are considered unlikely destinations for him with limited chances 17.00 (16/1).

Mourinho is a French speaker, so a move to Paris would make for an easy transition, however he’s recently stated that he’s not looking to leave England any time soon as his family has well settled in the country. In February, he told GQ, “At this moment I don’t have a job, and I don’t know where football will take me, because in football you never know. But for sure for sure for sure, as a family, our home will still be England, our home will be in London.”

He added that it’s apparent there are no other London clubs that he could manage, so he would be prepared to move elsewhere. “But obviously I am ready to move. As a professional, I am ready to move, especially because football in London for me, in terms of clubs… I think it is clear that I have to move,” said the two-time Champions League winner.

Due to his preference to stay in England, BetVictor Sports offers the England National Team as the fifth favourite job for Mourinho. According to The Guardian, he said national team duty doesn’t appeal to him due to the slower pace of football, despite being seconds away from signing a contract to lead the Three Lions in late 2007. His wife ultimately convinced him that he wouldn’t be happy with the job, and instead he took up the managerial post at Italian side Inter a year later.

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