Jose Mourinho has reflected on his Manchester United tenure in a brand new interview with Rio Ferdinand on FIVE.
The Portuguese coach recently parted ways with Serie A outfit Roma, having led the side to European glory in 2022 when they lifted the Europa Conference League.
Now, he’s taken a look back at his highly-scurutinised period in the dugout at Old Trafford, where he spent just two years before being relieved of his duties in December 2018.
He won the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield as United boss, as well as finished second-placed in the table in the 2017/2018 campaign. At the time, it was the club’s highest finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure five years prior, though there was 19-point gap between them and Manchester City.
Mourinho’s spell turned awry at the end as it was claimed that numerous players in the dressing room had turned against him, and he believed that the media had been significant in drawing unwanted attention and criticism his way.
Mourinho reflects on Old Trafford spell
Here are the key parts and quotes of his chat with Ferdinand.
“I don’t think the media helped me. People did not understand the dimension of the job and the difficulties. And also the fact I was in a hybrid role. In the years before with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill everything was clear. Then everything changed and the structure was not very fluid.
“When people criticise him [Ed Woodward] I don’t like it because for me was a good man but was not like a fish in the water. He was very intelligent and polite but probably not prepared for the sport side of it.
“As a coach, to not have a direct communication with the ownership and for a coach to not have a structure that shares the same principles and ideas was not easy. With consequences at many levels. But I did my best. I said in some interviews and was killed for that, that I said finishing second with Manchester United was one of my biggest achievements. Maybe there is a chance that we win that league no? [2017/18] Because if Man City are found guilty in Financial Fair Play breaking the rules, they lose a few points and maybe we win that title.
“I love Manchester United and the fans. I hope everything goes well. I am waiting as soon as possible for Man United to become your Man United that I fell in love with.”
Regarding potential unfinished business in M16, he asserted: “No, no, no.”
