Sir Alex Ferguson has paid a warm tribute to Jose Mourinho - and
feels Avram Grant has a "big test" on his hands trying to replace
him.
Manchester United chief Ferguson has always held former Chelsea
boss Mourinho in high regard even though the Scot has tended to
come out second best in matches between their teams, feeling he can
spot elements of his own character in the extrovert Portuguese
coach.
Even towards the end of last season, when their rivalry hit its
most controversial phase, personal attacks were kept to a
minimum.
In fact, Ferguson's major complaint of Mourinho was the quality of
wine he served up on his first trip to Stamford Bridge as an
opposing boss three years ago.
And, aside from lamenting what he will do now with the bottle he
had bought in especially for Sunday's Old Trafford showdown between
United and Chelsea, Ferguson will miss not having his old foe in
the visitors' dug-out.
"Jose leaving Chelsea is a disappointment for the game," said
Ferguson.
"He was terrific for football and terrific for Chelsea. He brought
something fresh and new to our game and I enjoyed the competition
with him. I wish him well but I just don't know what I am going to
do with my wine now."
Having won five trophies in his three seasons in west London,
Mourinho has been one of the most successful managers in Chelsea's
entire history.
He was responsible for ending a 50-year wait for a league title and
many players and fans are completely bemused at why a situation has
been allowed to develop which led to this week's events.
Ferguson opted not to offer an opinion on that but he does know
exactly how much Mourinho has done for Chelsea.
"He enjoyed unparalleled success there, without question," said
Ferguson.
"It is a big test for whoever replaces him - and at the moment that
is Avram Grant.
"I will miss the personal challenge but what it does to them
doesn't matter to me. We have to be focused on ourselves and
Sunday's game.
"We are still playing Chelsea. It is still the same players and
that in itself is a challenge for us.
"If you look at the record between us over the last three or four
years, there is nothing in it."
