Cole: Jose must be next Reds boss

James Robson

March 10, 2009

Andy Cole

JOSE Mourinho has received further backing that he is the right man to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

The Inter Milan manager has already put himself in the frame to succeed Fergie, insisting United need a `special' boss.

Before that, captain Rio Ferdinand declared him an ideal candidate for the job.

And now United legend Andy Cole claims Mourinho is the only man able to step into Ferguson's shoes.

"If he was to become Manchester United manager, I think he would be something special," said the 1999 treble winner.

"The guy has got so much charisma - the Premier League misses him.

"He has got so much about him. When he talks everyone wants to listen. Regardless what it is, everyone sits up."

Mourinho brings his Inter side to United tomorrow for the return leg of their Champions League second round clash, with the tie poised at 0-0.

Victory would be a timely reminder to the Old Trafford hierarchy of his rare talents.

After more than 22 years at United, Ferguson refuses to set a date for his retirement. And with his side hunting an unprecedented quintuple, he shows no sign of easing up.

Following him is seen by many as a thankless task - but Mourinho is one of the few men capable of taking the job on.

The former Chelsea manager won back-to-back titles in little over three years at Stamford Bridge and before that he won the Champions League and UEFA Cup at Porto.

"Jose has the credentials," said Cole. "He knows how to bring the best out of his players like the current manager. It would be fantastic if he got the job here."

Do you agree with Cole? Have your say.

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Gilly, Belgium (10/03/2009 at 09:15)

We have to wait and see , dont we ?

peter cossey, fleetwood (10/03/2009 at 09:38)

jose ticks all the boxes for the job but so does david moyes.

Martin S. (10/03/2009 at 09:51)

I would never want Mourinho to be the United manager. He might have the guts to take the job, but he's not the man for it. We need someone who understands United and what United stand for. We play attractive football, we have a good youth academy and a core of brittish players in the team.

Mourinho's not shown anything of this during his managerial career. His teams don't play very attractive, but effective. Youth academy what? When in Chelsea, Mourinho bought squad players like Sidwell, Ben Haim, Mikel. The United way: let young players come through the ranks and give them time. Fletcher, O'Shea, Brown, Welbeck among many the last two decades.

No Mourinho for United, thanks.

george evans (10/03/2009 at 10:23)

I like Mourinho and do think everyone listens to him.He has achieved.UNITED do need a special manager after SAF and there's not many who could fill his shoes.One thing, when SAF does retire at the age of 99 there'll be plenty of applicants.

argyred, argentina (10/03/2009 at 10:25)

No Way Jose - we'd end up playing like Arsenal did under Graham - boring stuff. And then there would be no youth policy - I cannot see the United heirachy opting for Moronio. O''Neill or Moyes will be the next one in. But me thinks that they would have to win a major European trophy to really put themselves in the running

Lord Ruud (10/03/2009 at 10:29)

These stories are always going to come out as we are playing Inter Milan. At the moment, Mourinho is easily the best guy for the job on merit. Although he has never been at a club long enough for us to judge what his take on youth policy is, I suspect he would be the best choice to come in for 3-4 years to keep the likes of Rooney at this club - as like Fergie he has a magnetism to him.

Some people keep saying we have to follow the United tradition and play attractive football - in an ideal world yes and if you want nice, attractive football why don't we get the Swansea manager.

If as I suspect, most people on here want us to continue winning and building on our achievements, then Mourinho is the obvious choice - 1 European Cup, 1 UEFA Cup, 4 domestic league titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups. Basically, he has won more than Sir Alex had by the time he arrived in 1986. O'Neill is now 57 and could be 60 by the time Fergie retires, whereas Mourinho would still be under 50. Add in to this the fact that with the debt the Glazers will need to maintain success he would be the sensible appointment.

Mourinho's brand of football isn't the most exciting and he often likes to be centre of attention (usually a media ploy) but his players all play for him and he seems to be able to make decent players perform to higher levels like Sir Alex. However, when the time does come I suspect the board may play it a bit safer and appoint a domestic manager like Moyes or O'Neill.

Brian, Brussels (10/03/2009 at 10:29)

I have mixed feelings about Jose but his players certainly love him. As for Moyes, you may criticise Jose for playing pragmatic football but I don't remember Everton playing attractive football under Moyes and he also bought Neville! I like O'Neil as a person but he is also a pragmatic coach so where do we go from here?

tooth&claw, manchester (10/03/2009 at 10:30)

Peter Cossey, how's Moyes' Champions League record?

Martin S, Mourinho laid down the basis of the Chelsea academy after he joined with Arnesson and it's now beginning to show fruit. They beat us, after all.

Mourinho gets an unfair review because of the clubs he joined and the stage that he joined them. He couldn't possibly make Porto into a United but he recognised the problems, organised them, gave them belief and they won the UEFA cup and Champions League. A magnificent feat that would not have been performed had he said "go out and express yourself". He joined Chelsea and their trigger happy owner and inherited a squad, identified the weaknesses and got them to win the league for the first time since the invention of television. He repeated the feat the next season. He'd not have done that had he tried to play the United way with who he had. Now he's gone to Inter and his job brief is to win in Europe, it's not to play attractive football. Cattenaccio is as close as Italians get to the beautiful game.

I don't know if Mourinho could live up to United's standards but I know that there's no way of knowing from the jobs he's had since leaving Leira. I don't think any manager would be successful with those clubs playing attractive football at that time.

Alias Smith, over the moon (10/03/2009 at 10:38)

He is obviously a strong candidate but it's funny, the more he and others push his candidacy, the more I am inclined to think I don't want him at United, not least because of the media circus and the focus on him rather than the team. I would sooner have O'Neill I think.

Mickeylove (10/03/2009 at 11:13)

Can't stand the man! But its not about that is it? I think he'd do a great job for us!!!! ..... Still can't stand him though!

Mickeylove - The Crescent.

nizem, singapore (10/03/2009 at 11:19)

he's not the right man.yes he's good but united will became the boring team! under him ..that's why roman sacked him bcause he cannot turn chelsea like united. arsen wenger,harry rknp n capelo the nearest choice

I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (10/03/2009 at 11:20)

We all have our different views on this topic. I would not be too unhappy if Mourinho did succeed SAF. I am interested, though, in the fact that a few of our recent/current PLAYERS appear to support Mourinho, and their views must be respected.

I am sorry, now, for repeating one of my previous postings:- I think all this conjecture is superfluous. I am the same age as SAF, and feel as fit as a fiddle, and my passion for UNITED knows no boundaries. SAF has these same attributes. Can't see him retiring. I will still be watching my beloved Team under his leadership for the next ten years - at least!!!!

nizem, singapore (10/03/2009 at 11:25)

why united will become boring team under him BECAUSE the player will follow his big ego n talk like chelsea player like they have won the world cup!!

Pete Sydney (10/03/2009 at 11:38)

You can't doubt his ability. When everyone calls for SAF head I always ask but who would you replace him with. I am surprised Ronaldo wants sprint training from Usain Bolt when he can just look at the pace his gaffer set running across the pitch at craven Cottage on Saturday.

I think Jose will retire before SAF. So let's look for someone else. Anyone for Fletcher, he's a Scot and they are the best managers.

Redraw, Belfast (10/03/2009 at 11:48)

As if United arent hated enough without bringing Mouinho in lol

Im split over Mourinho O'Neill or Moyes.

I am sure I want a manager who hopefully will be there for 10 years or more not 3 years.

Private Fraser, Warmington-On-Sea (10/03/2009 at 11:48)

There's only 1 man for the job, and he'd only have to move a couple of miles from inside the Manchester boundary. You're welcome to the Tafia, as Jose is already nailed on for a club that is exceedingly wealthier than yow.

The Manc Man, Manchester (10/03/2009 at 12:07)

As i posted yesterday on another Jose article,i'd like to see Carlos Quieroz with Giggs and Ole as able deputies,another alternative is to have SAF frozen Walt Disney style and keep bringing him back!

danny, WILMSLOW (10/03/2009 at 12:11)

The thing is why would Phil NEVILLE be out having a drink with Mourino?
Perhaps they were holding a sumit on how to beat United!

Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville (10/03/2009 at 12:12)

It's going to take a BIG Personality to take over from the Master and as Andrew says;- Jose would have to definetly be in the frame as he's one of the only People capable of coping with and dealing with the fall out post SAF. I think he'll adapt to our way of playing as he knows that he wouldn't be seen as a success just grinding out wins at the Greatest Club in the World. We'll see what happens and hopefully it wont be anytime soon!!

"Cattenaccio is as close as Italians get to the beautiful game."

Made me chuckle t&c...keep up the good work!!

Where's danny today- looking for bits to copy and paste?

david allen (10/03/2009 at 12:22)

The football O'Neil played at Celtic was appauling, mainly long ball stuff. Although he is doing OK at Villa the football isn't exactly a joy to watch. Moyes would struggle to handle 'big name' players, and is more suited to working with hard workman like players (Neville, Cahill etc). Jose does have a reputation of playing 'boring football' but I'm sure if he came to United he would respect their tradition, and we would see yet more success under him.

david allen (10/03/2009 at 12:24)

Jose is already nailed on for a club that is exceedingly wealthier than yow.
Private Fraser, Warmington-On-Sea
10/03/2009 at 11:48

I some how think that Jose would want to join a club that actually wins things, you know is successful!

Cat Stabber, Moss Side (10/03/2009 at 12:35)

tooth & claw is 100% right in what he's saying. Jose has had it easy at almost every club he joined. Porto had Deco and a host of other star names, Chelsea had a great team and Inter have been strolling the league for a few years now. He plays awful football and I'd hate to see him at United.

Blip, Manchester (10/03/2009 at 13:26)

Nonsense Cole. Give the job to Bryan Robson. He's Utd through-and-through.

chris, oxford (10/03/2009 at 13:28)

Whoever does take over once Fergie goes will have to deliver results immediately, that's for sure, because with our debt 3 or 4 years outside of the Champions League could end in disaster. OK so somebody may step in and buy the club and its associated debts but would we want to be placed in such a precarious position?

Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (10/03/2009 at 13:37)

Sir Andrew ..... you are spot on. WINNER, end of.

T&C - good points. He's the man, nobody else comes near. If he never comes or it doesn't work out... que sera,sera.

Danny - are you Mary re-invented???

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