Manchester United Transfer News: John Terry Rumours Linked to Jose Mourinho

Former Chelsea and Manchester United star Ray Wilkins wouldn't be surprised if Jose Mourinho tried to bring Blues legend John Terry to Old Trafford should he become the next manager, while former Red Devils defender Paul Parker has urged the club not to hire the Special One.

As the Sun's Mike McGrath reported, Wilkins and Parker have different opinions about the former Chelsea boss. Wilkins is convinced Mourinho would be successful at the Theatre of Dreams, calling him "one of the best in the world."

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

He also thinks Mourinho wouldn't hesitate to call Terry, although he doubts the veteran would move to Manchester, saying, “That would be a cheeky one from Jose but I wouldn’t put it past him. He will have that in his locker. Whether John would go to another Premier club is another matter. He said he wouldn’t, so it will be interesting.”

Terry told reporters after the cup win over MK Dons Chelsea will not offer him a new contract, effectively making him a free agent this summer. In a press conference, Blues manager Guus Hiddink maintained no final decision has been made, but the veteran centre-back doesn't sound too hopeful, per Simon Peach of the Press Association:

The 35-year-old has been with Chelsea since 1995 and has become a true club legend, winning four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League with the Blues. The decision not to hand him a new deal is a controversial one, even if Chelsea rarely invest large sums in veteran players.

While he's no longer the feared defender he once was, his experience and leadership still make him a valuable asset. And even though he's 35 years old, Terry is not expected to retire from professional football just yet.

Sporting Intelligence thinks he will have plenty of options:

A reunion with Mourinho at Old Trafford would surely steal the headlines, a move that would arguably be more controversial than Chelsa's decision not to keep Terry around in the first place. While the former England international would be free to sign with any club he desires, Blues fans would not be happy to see him join another title contender.

It seems unlikely to happen, however. As Parker alluded to, Terry has already made it clear he has no intention of moving to another Premier League club. On top of that, Mourinho would face quite a rebuilding process should he move to the Theatre of Dreams, and he'll be investing his money in young talent, not veteran stars.

All of this is contingent on Mourinho landing the job in the first place, and per Parker, United should look elsewhere:

"

Will Jose be good for United? I’d use the word ‘no’. He’s as good as a chocolate teapot.

I’m not questioning him as a coach, as he has that as a strength. His strength is how he sets a team up and that doesn’t change through his career.

But my thing is looking at his personality and him as a person.

He doesn’t fit Manchester United as a club and how it considers itself outside of football. ...

... Remember one thing — people talk about great sides that won the Premier League.

They talk about Arsenal, they talk about the United teams through a decade.

Nobody talks about Chelsea teams that won the league because they bored people to death with negative football.

"

The rumours Mourinho could be on his way to Old Trafford are surely divisive. On the one hand, the club desperately needs some stability at the managerial position, following the disappointing stints of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho may be a controversial figure, but his track record speaks for itself―he's a winner. Then again, lots of fans may not want the Portuguese in charge of their club, per Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News:

Between his negative football and controversial personality, Mourinho has plenty of detractors, and there are rumours even some of the United chiefs are not in favour of his appointment, per Paul Hetherington and Harry Pratt of the Daily Star on Sunday.

The debate will surely rage on until United confirm whom their new manager will be―and probably beyond as well.  

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