So, Sir Alex feels that Jose Mourinho would be capable of stepping into his shoes at Manchester United. He said of the former FC Porto, Chelsea and Internazionale coach:
"He can manage anywhere, absolutely. I'm not going to put any forecasts on what is going to happen at this club. I won't last forever, but Jose can manage anywhere, there is no question about that."
Given the respect that exists between the two men, that is probably not the most surprising sentiment one is ever likely to hear, especially considering the context: the question was asked of Ferguson on an ITV4 production celebrating 10 years at the top, in management, for the Portuguese. No way was Fergie about to poop that particular party.
Waiting for the stars to align
On a serious note however, just how conceivable is it that Mourinho will be next up at Old Trafford? Indeed are Ferguson, Manchester United and Mourinho merely waiting for all the stars to align?
United will know they will need a hugely talented coach and proven winner, if Ferguson’s successes are to be sustained after the great man decides to call it a day. It would be amazing if the former Chelsea coach is not top of the list of possibilities.
The other two factors that must align, Sir Alex’s retirement and Mourinho’s availability, may well be on collision course for the end of the current season. It may even be that the latter condition is the more likely, with Marca, a sports (but mainly football) daily with strong links to Real Madrid, reporting this week on an already fractious relationship, worsening between Florentino Perez, the club President, and Mourinho. The publication suggests the current situation will not exist beyond June 30.
Fergie to move over?
Mourinho hugely enjoyed his time in England at Chelsea, and has professed a desire to win the European Champions’ League with an English club.
"In my career everything was perfect. The only thing I didn't, and I hope I can do it one day, is to win a Champions League with an English club. Nobody puts pressure on me because I put pressure on myself."
These were Mourinho's words during an ITV4 documentary. Why would he not want to manage Manchester United, where the owners and board seem prepared to allow the football people to make the key decisions? He might just see that as a breath of fresh air in comparison to the owner-meddling he has had to contend with since entering the fray at Chelsea several years ago.
However, is Fergie ready to move over? He looks as strong as ever, and only he will know the answer to that. His position and influence within the club are so strong; no-one will dare ask him the question. Not seriously anyhow. When he is done however, he will want to stay on in some capacity, Ferguson will want “his” club to remain immensely successful, and, is certain to command huge influence on his successor’s appointment.
The timing of any retirement decision will be a well-kept secret and probably be very sudden, similar in vein to when his great talisman, Cantona, brought the curtain down on his illustrious career in the late 90s. Ferguson will not want a repeat of his own 2001-02 retiring pre-announcement which led to the team’s significant loss of form.
Fergie and Mou: Winners and masters of the game.jpg)
If the Old Scot is looking for someone possessing similar qualities as those inherent in himself, he may look no farther than the Portuguese, against whom in 13 head to head encounters, Ferguson has won only twice.
They are both undoubted winners with a relentless appetite and desire to win trophies. Each is a painfully, sore loser, with a preference to defend miscreant players in public, rather than espouse the role of the traditional, sporting gentleman. Both like to engender a siege mentality amongst their troops. And each man is a master of the mind game, the only counterparts they have failed to better in this respect is each other.
Ferguson would consistently come out on top in verbal spats with Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez, and remember how he spooked poor old Kevin Keegan all those years ago, with faltering Newcastle challenging his Red Devils for the title.
Jose Mourinho: Unconquered and unabowed
Interestingly, Mourinho survived against the Great Scot, unconquered and unabowed, and you would have to say his swashbuckling entry into English football was several degrees bolder than when Ferguson took the reins at Old Trafford, although times were different then.
Ferguson and Mourinho are both their own men, strong-willed, who like to be in control and neither takes kindly to being dictated to. That is why Mourinho had enough at Chelsea. It may be something that has increased his discomfort at Madrid.
Can Mourinho be “special” at Manchester United as he has been everywhere else? His record of 21 trophies in 10 years with clubs in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain suggests the answer is straightforward and emphatically positive. He certainly possesses the charisma, desire and personality for the job. You could say Manchester United was made for him.
The 'Only One' will not be lacking in confidence either but, is Fergie really ready to put his feet up?
