During his stint at Manchester United, Jose Mourinho encountered significant discord with players and often voiced frustration regarding what he perceived as insufficient backing from the then-chief executive, Ed Woodward, particularly in the transfer market.
Despite clinching the club’s record signing of Paul Pogba for a staggering £89 million, Mourinho’s tenure was marred by a series of setbacks.
Notably, the failure to secure the signature of Virgil van Dijk, who ultimately opted for Liverpool instead, stood out as a notable disappointment.
Instead of acquiring van Dijk, Manchester United opted to secure the services of Victor Lindelof from Benfica for £30 million, while also retaining players like Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, and Marcus Rashford, who remained with the club even post-Mourinho’s departure.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Mourinho hinted that retaining certain players had a detrimental effect on the club’s subsequent struggles, suggesting that Manchester United had regressed since his managerial tenure.
Expressing his views, Mourinho stated, “There are still a couple of players there I didn’t desire five or six years ago. I believe they embody qualities that aren’t optimal for a club of this stature.
Nonetheless, I fulfilled my obligations there. Time always unveils the truth.
I would like to see Manchester United flourish.” Presently unattached to any managerial role after parting ways with Roma earlier in the season, Mourinho also took a swipe at Ed Woodward, implying that current Ajax manager Erik ten Hag had a more supportive framework at his disposal compared to Mourinho’s experience at Manchester United.
Reflecting on his rapport with Woodward, Mourinho remarked, “My personal rapport with Ed Woodward was amiable. However, from a professional standpoint, it was wanting. I am profoundly passionate about football, but Ed hails from a different background.
Ten Hag’s stint at Manchester United was dissimilar to mine. I did not have that level of backing or trust, hence my departure was tinged with regret, feeling that I was only at the outset of a process.”
While Mourinho did guide Manchester United to a second-place finish in his sophomore season, an achievement he once held in high esteem among his managerial feats, the current standing of the club, currently seventh in the league, starkly contrasts with those prior heights.
Despite not ruling out a potential return to management entirely, Mourinho remains ambiguous about his future plans.
There has even been a groundswell of support from some Chelsea supporters for his hypothetical return to Stamford Bridge, showcasing discontent towards current manager Mauricio Pochettino.
This ambiguity underscores the intricate dynamics of managerial stints and the perpetually evolving nature of football management.
