Manchester United have rejected speculation that they have
opened talks with Jose Mourinho about becoming their next
manager.
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Mourinho tantalisingly suggested earlier this week that he would
return to the Premier League once his contract with Inter Milan
expires in 2011.
While the timescale is slightly out, to an extent it does fit
with Sir Alex Ferguson's summer declaration that he would only
remain at Old Trafford for another two years, meaning he would
finish in 2010, after 24 years at the helm.
Mourinho would be an obvious replacement, given both his
impressive track record at Chelsea and a personality that would
ensure following Ferguson's unrivalled dynasty did not overwhelm
him.
And it has not taken long for the first reports to emerge
linking Mourinho with the Red Devils.
Amid the claim is that Ferguson feels Mourinho is the only man
for the job and that tentative talks have taken place.
However, United have rejected such a notion, insisting they have
not looked at what might happen when Ferguson finally decides to
step down.
"As we have said many times before, there has been no discussion
about who will eventually succeed Sir Alex,'' said a United
spokesman.
Ferguson has already become United's most successful manager,
winning his second Champions League trophy in May with a penalty
shoot-out victory over Chelsea, who had Avram Grant in charge.
It was Mourinho's failure to land Europe's biggest prize that
led to his exit from Stamford Bridge, although he did win the
competition - and the UEFA Cup - during an impressive spell at
Porto, beating United on the way.
