Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand took to Instagram to give his thoughts on the club sacking Jose Mourinho.
The former defender turned TV pundit says he wanted the Portuguese manager to succeed but things just haven’t gone to plan:
“Jose Mourinho Leaves Manchester United. Right now is the right time. Things aren’t improving & he has taken it as far as he can. I was one of his biggest advocates 2 & half years ago when he joined the club & felt he stabilised #mufc when we needed it. You can’t ignore what Jose has achieved as a manager previously but I feel the time has come for fresh ideas at MUFC! People have been critical of my comments on TV of late but as a I am saying it as I see it. The club needs an injection of positivity & this decision will allow that to happen. I wish Jose all the best & wish him well for the future”
Supporters on Twitter were quick to echo Ferdinand’s comments:
Well said mate
— Steffan Roberts (@SteffRobzz) 18 December 2018
ur right Rio
— Ignatius Croffie (@gedeme2011) 18 December 2018
Legendary ?
— Valentine kings (@Bluebloodman_) 18 December 2018
Good words
— Matt (@Yaboiisback2k18) 18 December 2018
Nailed it.
— Andrew Mullins (@andrewjmmullins) 18 December 2018
Wise words
— Aliyu Ibrahim (@Alinalali) 18 December 2018
Couldn’t agree more
— The Last O.G (@scare4face) 18 December 2018
Genuinely hope we can pinch Pochettino ??
— GarethPT (@Gareth_H_) 18 December 2018
Player power wins?
— Hari Rattan (@Dutty_1) 18 December 2018
Don’t want Blanc as caretaker though! What does he know about the PL. Only played in it for a season. Give it to Carrick till the summer and then try to convince Pochettino to leave Spurs.
— Tony (@TonyCr8ton) 18 December 2018
A good idea on paper doesn’t always work out in reality. As Ferdinand mentioned, Mourinho had the CV that could rival any manager in the game but things have become stale under his guidance in recent months.
United are expected to appoint an interim manager from beyond the current coaching setup, suggesting an experienced head will be appointed before the Reds select a long-term replacement in the summer.
The Manchester club now eleven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea so there is a lot of work to do in the league. Still, with the club in the last 16 of the Champions League and still the FA Cup to play for, all is certainly not lost.