With things seemingly going swimmingly for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City at the moment there is no talk of him leaving or any stories about his contract. The same cannot be said for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho who has played down reports that link him with leaving Old Trafford to join PSG.
Rumours had been circulating around the English media that the Portuguese had grown to be unhappy at United for a number of reasons, including Ed Woodward’s inability to capture all of his proposed summer signings.
In recent days reports have even suggested Jose Mourinho was twice offered the Liverpool job over the years with the approaches apparently coming before he was the Chelsea manager and the 2nd time just before Jurgen Klopp was appointed.
It would seem therefore if the reports are accurate that he turned down Liverpool both times!
Speaking at United’s pre-match press conference for their Champions League match against Benfica, Mourinho was quick to play down the rumours and chose to elaborate on what his comments actually meant.
Mourinho said: “I think you English media have the answer for that because, in one day, it says that I am going to sign a five-year contract, for £1billion per season and then, the next day, you say that I am leaving and going to PSG. I think that is the answer.”
“The answer is that nothing is happening. I am not signing a new five-year contract and I am not leaving for PSG. I am at Manchester United and I have a contract. And that is it.”
The boss did admit that he does not see himself finishing his career at Manchester United though, saying that it is ‘impossible’ to stay at a single club for 17 years.
“The only thing that I told is true and there was not a misinterpretation of my words was I am not going to end my career at Manchester United,” he added.
“I was asked how is it possible in modern football that any manager is going to last 15 to 20 years in the same club. I think Arsene Wenger is the last one at Arsenal. I think it is impossible for us with everything that surrounds the job, all of the pressures that surround the job.”
“I think it is impossible to last for so long. If, in this moment, I wanted to finish my career in two, three, four or five years then I would say yes, I want to finish my career with Manchester United.”
“But I think I am going to be a manager for 15 more years, minimum, in the job, and I think it is impossible to stay for 17 years in the same club. I think it is the impossible mission. Even if you want to, you can try, but I think it is impossible. Wenger is the last one. That was my answer. I don’t think I am going to end my career at Manchester United. That was my answer.”
“After that, some people tried to be clever, some people tried to be malicious and they said many different things. But the reality is simple. I did not sign a new contract but I am not thinking about leaving.”
[All quotes sourced via ManUtd.com]