Jose Mourinho Comments on Future Amid Manchester United Job Rumours

Jose Mourinho has revealed he’s happy to be out of work at the moment, having been linked with a return to management with Manchester United.

However, he has admitted he is eyeing a return to football ahead of the 2016-17 season.  

"That's the one million dollar question," was Mourinho's response when asked if he would be taking over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, per BBC Sport.

The Portuguese was speaking in Singapore and was asked about his future, having been sacked by Chelsea earlier in the season. Here is what he had to say about speculation linking him with a comeback, per Channel News Asia’s Justin Ong:

“The reality is that I have no job,” said Mourinho. “And in this moment I am happy not to have a job.”

Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News recently noted Mourinho is keen on taking over at Old Trafford where Van Gaal is currently under severe pressure.

Additionally, the Portuguese also hinted at when he would like to return to the game, insisting it’s preferable to come back at the start of a new season:

“If I have to return tomorrow, I return tomorrow,” he said. “But I always feel that it’s better to wait, not to rush. It’s better to be calm to wait for the right moment, for the right move. And I think starting the next season with a new club and project is probably the best thing for me.”

According to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, United’s own plans fall in line with Mourinho’s desires, as they are set to keep Van Gaal at the helm until the end of the season before making their move for the Portuguese.

It’s certainly going to be intriguing to see how the situation pans out at the end of the season. The question at this juncture seems to be over who will replace the Dutchman, not whether he will be replaced.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Mourinho, who has been unattached since December, seems the logical choice for some, although Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror wrote recently that the club could snub the Portuguese in favour of current assistant manager and United legend Ryan Giggs.

Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette can see the appeal of appointing someone like the Welshman but still feels as though Mourinho is the logical choice for United:

"

It’ll be tragic if we don’t get Jose. As I said, I don’t like him. But it’s about football. Glazers will be scared of his transfer demands.

— Rob B. (@_Rob_B) February 21, 2016"

In a straight shootout between the two, you’d imagine the club would opt for the Portuguese. After all, he’s had success in all of his managerial roles to date. While things tend to turn sour after a few seasons, at the moment United need hauling up from their haunches. That’s a process Mourinho is capable of kick-starting.

He seems relaxed over his future in the aforementioned clips and that’s understandable, as whether United want him or otherwise, a manager with that kind of record will always be in demand. But you can guarantee Mourinho will be enticed by the prospect of taking on the job at Old Trafford, and even someone of his stature will have to show a degree of patience before being appointed.