Jose Mourinho on His Way To Manchester United?

If recent media reports are to be believed, the current head coach of Real Madrid may very well be on his way to Old Trafford, once Sir Alex Ferguson leaves his post. 

The Portuguese football manager started his coaching career at Benfica but his status became a force to be reckoned with winning the Portuguese Liga, Cup of Portugal, and UEFA Cup in 2003. Greater success followed in 2004 as Mourinho guided the team to the top of the league for a second time and won the highest honor in European club football, the UEFA Champions League.

Since then he has won  the FA Premier League,  the FA Cup, Serie A, Coppa Italia and another UEFA Champions League title with Inter Milan. A man, who is mentioned in the same category as Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld, is bound to attract attention when the Old Trafford hierarchy looks for Sir Alex’s replacement. But unlike other modern day rumors pertaining to football managers, this one has been brought upon by ‘The Special One’ himself.

In his most recent interview, Mourinho has admitted the Manchester United job would be “a great challenge” should Sir Alex Ferguson ever step down from his post at Old Trafford.

Speaking about United, Mourinho told the Telegraph: “They play the English way, hard and physical.”

“Europe is different. Tactics, strategy, and the players you have, the players you pick, it is very different to domestic club football.

“Manchester is a club who is proud and perhaps looks at winning the League title as more important than anything else."

Mourinho has an escape clause within his four-year Madrid deal. This will state that after serving Real for two years he will be able to move on – if their compensation requirement is met.

It is Ferguson’s decision to prolong his stay at Old Trafford that has led Mourinho to seek sanctuary at the Bernabeu. Privately Mourinho admits United is the only job that interests him in England.

Mourinho is believed to be very close with his players and it came as no surprise to most when his former pupil, Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, added further substance to the discussion.

Sneijder told the News of the World:

“English football excites him more than any other football in Europe and I don’t think it’s a question of if he returns to the Premier League but when.”

“I think it’s written for him to take over Manchester United in a few years. One great manager will retire and another one will take over.”

“When he takes the [Manchester] United job, the English FA must offer him the national post as well, and from conversations we have had I think he would take it, in fact I know he would.”

However, the biggest question that looms in everyone’s mind is: “When exactly will Sir Alex retire?” The Scot hasn’t laid down a specific date but he would ideally like to take a shot at the European crown a couple more times. Regardless of that, when the time comes, Mourinho’s name will be near the top of a selective list of Managers to replace the Scotsman.