Speculation is mounting that Fergie will retire from
football at the end of next season if he leads the club to an
historic 19th league championship. United would need to clinch this
season’s Premier League and successfully defend it next year to
break Liverpool’s title record.
And Inter Milan boss Mourinho – who has been linked
with succeeding the 67-year-old in the past – has offered the
clearest indication yet he is ready to assume the Old Trafford
hotseat.
When asked if he and United could be ‘a marriage’ when
Fergie finally retires, Mourinho said: “Who can say no? Nobody
could say ‘no’. “Manchester United belongs to a small group of
clubs around the world where nobody can say ‘no’.
“But I don’t believe he is leaving in 2010. I think he
will be the same the year after, healthy and happy. “I don’t see a
reason for him to quit and I hope he still goes on."
Former Chelsea coach Mourinho revealed he still enjoys
a friendly relationship with the Scot – despite seeing his Serie A
side dumped out of the Champions League by Fergie's Red Devils.
He added: "We both know how to lose and we know how to
win. “That's why after the 14 matches we have played between us –
Porto, Chelsea and Inter – whether I win, he wins, or we draw,
afterwards, the same respect is there."
Mourinho also refused to rule out a future switch to
international management – and claimed a move to the United States
could be on the cards. The Portuguese said: "When you become a
national coach life changes completely.
“You become much more an analyst than a coach. You
train twice a month, you play once a month, sometimes once every
two months. "You have to wait for the big competitions to come
round to become really involved like the World Cup. So at this
stage it's not for me.
“But in the future, yes, and the US can be my future
yes, and not just as national team manager but even a club team
manager. “It's the kind of country where you feel you could do
something. There is huge potential."
