Mourinho, put himself in the frame for Fergie's
job at United.
The former Chelsea boss admits he expects to be considered when
Sir Alex Ferguson finally quits Old Trafford.
Mourinho, who takes on Fergie when his Inter Milan side face
United in the Champions League this week, rates himself as “one of
the best managers in the world.” And he reckons United will be
unable to ignore his credentials when they begin the search for
Fergie’s successor.
Mourinho’s gift for self-promotion has never been stronger as he
claimed: “I have big jobs left in me that is for sure — but I can’t
commit to which ones. “If you want me to rule out ever being
Manchester United manager I can’t. Special clubs need special
managers so in theory it could work, but nobody knows what the
future is in football.
“The England national team wanted me as coach and that is the
biggest job in England, so I am sure when Sir Alex retires they
will look at the best managers in the world and I certainly fall
into that category.
“How much time I can’t say, Sir Alex doesn’t look like he is
ready to stop. But when you are managing a winning team you don’t
want to stop — and if you have health then there is no reason
to.”
Opinion is mixed over Mourinho’s claims to become United
manager. Rio Ferdinand has nominated the Portuguese as the best
candidate to take over from Fergie — but United legends Sir Bobby
Charlton and Bryan Robson believe his brand of football would not
be to everyone’s taste.
There is no immediate sign of Sir Alex stepping down from his
role as United boss. At 67, he claims his health is good enough to
enable him to continue in the job, despite previous suggestions
that he would quit in May 2010. Fergie insisted this week: “You
might have to carry me out. I’m not even thinking about
retiring.”
Mourinho’s future at Inter was under scrutiny last week — even
though his team are still clear leaders of Serie A. He has been
involved in a running battle with the Italian media and told them
on Friday: “In another 86 days I will leave Italy and go on
holiday. Will I still be the coach of Inter? In football you never
know.”