Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says that landing the job this summer has meant he is at the top of his career. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Mourinho also said he can keep going as a manager for another 15 years.
United take on Southampton in the Premier League on Friday night, a game that is eagerly anticipated for many reasons. Not only is Paul Pogba expected to make his long awaited return to Old Trafford, but it will also mark Mourinho’s first competitive game at Old Trafford as manager.
Speaking to Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley, the 53-year-old said he is confident his best as a boss is yet to come.
“I have been in some of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said. “This is like the top of my career, but it comes in the early stage of my career.
“Because as a manager I am really young, and I think I have the best years of my career to come up. I was not joking [when I say 15 more years as a manager]. 53 plus 15 is 68, so I would say 14, 15, 16 more years, but I don’t see myself going home before 70.”
Mourinho’s teams have been a nightmare to play against in the last 12 years, with the Portuguese having lost only two of his 20 competitive games against them from his time at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. However, Mourinho insists he has upheld a good relationship with the United faithful.
“Even as an opponent I could create a good relationship with the fans, I never had problems, and I have not always behaved the best way. The first time I was running to celebrate a goal at touchline. I always tried to be nice and have a relationship with the fans at Old Trafford. This time I go and for the first time I can do what I never did, which is ask for their support. I always play against them, and this time they are on my side.”
“As a fan you can go to the stadium and watch the game, or you can go and play, and what I ask them to do is go to Old Trafford and play. If they play, it’s 80,000 + 11, versus 11, and the opposition has no chance. I give them that responsibility, if they are behind my players we have a big chance.”
[All quotes via Sky Sports]