Jul 28
Jose Mourinho CAN succeed Ferguson at United
OK so it’s hardly the best kept secret in European football but Jose Mourinho has admitted that he fancies a crack at succeeding Sir Alex at United. At 67-years-old, Ferguson clearly doesn’t have too many more years of management left in him, but does the former Chelsea boss really tick all the right boxes? I honestly don’t think he’s a bad shout you know.
“I would consider going to Manchester United but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson,” Mourinho told the Daily Mirror.
“If they do, then of course.”
Now I know many of us have our reservations about the Portuguese and his management methods but there’s no arguing with his credentials. First things first, taking over from the most successful manager in the club’s history will prove to be the tallest of tall orders for the eventual chosen one. Just imagine the pressure! Well while Mourinho is undoubtedly as arrogant as they come, that is arguably the principal trait that Ferguson’s successor will need. A manager that doesn’t wholeheartedly believe they have what it takes to match the Scot’s achievements at Old Trafford is probably destined for failure. Jose Mourinho would claim he could surpass Sir Alex’s accomplishments and it’s that sort of egotism that could handle the whirlwind of inevitable pressure.
There have only been three other managers that have tasted Premier League glory during Fergie’s legacy. Kenny Dalglish with Blackburn in 1995, Arsene Wenger in 1998, 2002 and 2004 and Jose Mourinho most recently in 2005 and 2006. My point is that Mourinho has been there and done it in England’s top flight and he knows what sort of ingredients are required to deliver a Premier League title. The likes of Martin O’Neill, Steve Bruce and David Moyes haven’t, which is one of the reasons why I would put the charismatic Portuguese at the front of the queue.
A UEFA Cup and Champions League success with Porto and also a Serie A title with Inter Milan in his first season in Italy only add to Mourinho’s already impressive CV. His record in the transfer market isn’t half bad either with the signings of the likes Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Florent Malouda. OK so there have been some pretty terrible acquisitions too but not even Ferguson gets it right every time (Taibi, Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson all spring to mind).
I know many of you will call Mournho’s tactics into question arguing that he would abandon the free-flowing, attacking football we have become accustomed to seeing at the club. Well I’m confident that he would adapt his management style, accommodating the player’s he has at his disposal and I really don’t see a great deal of change in that department. Mourinho isn’t stupid. He will know the likes of Nani and Wayne Rooney are at their best when they are given the freedom to go and express themselves. I’m sure he’d be capable of finding a suitable balance anyway.
The main worry I have for Mourinho would be that he would have to hit the ground running. Every Manchester United fan with half a brain trusts Sir Alex in whatever he does where every decision is supported as we know that he will always have the best interests of the club at heart. Like Wenger at Arsenal, Fergie is part of that rare ‘job for life’ breed and when he does eventually call it a day, the whole mentality of the fans will change. Even the slightest whiff of failure or ill judgement and the majority of supporters will turn against Mourinho. Jose, you’ve been warned.
So there you have it. I’m happy to throw my cards on the table and admit that I would be cautiously optimistic if Jose Mourinho was installed as the next United boss. With the biggest job in football comes even bigger responsibility so do you feel that the 46-year-old is capable of becoming the extra ‘Special One’ at United? I guess that’s a question for David Gill to answer.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Inter: Preview
- Mourinho, Shut it!
- Deadline Day Approaches. So, United vs Chelsea: Who Spent More?
- Sir Alex Ferguson’s Successor
- Annoying Mourinho Leaves | United After Another ‘Hole’ Player? | Saha | SAF Quotes
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Anyone else having trouble connecting to redcafe?
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@Venu: +1
Ole would be the greatest gamble and I believe the best shot at MUFC. He is currently coaching the youngins.
He may be too nice, however.
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@Dan:
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@Dan: Fullback1 would be Micah Richards no? (assuming he recovers from swine flu)
@Stephen Darwin: I am a little tied up with work right now. My stand on Mourinho requires a little more time than I have right now — perhaps a separate post.
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@Red Ranter: Yea, i guess
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@Footy4Eddy: Eddy, I just looked at your Ronaldo video (great work). I especially like when the commentary is added… makes the clip even better.
On another, I am leaning towards Ronaldo as a legend. Seeing him do his thing is just so far above everyone else. Yes, he dived but he was also abused by other players and not given protection from referees.
In my eyes, he will become legend.
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@Footy4Eddy: Isn’t Kompany a DMC/MC? I figured Dunne would still be in the defence – he was their captain right?
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@Footy4Eddy: I reckon Tevez will start to be honest alongside Adebayor.
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@Dan: http://status.redcafe.net/maintenance.html
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@Red Ranter: Who needs RedCafe when you have got RedRants?
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@Red Ranter: Thats from the last black out from a few weeks ago.
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@Footy4Eddy: Its nice to be apart from both.
Redrants is far more, polite shall we say, but if you want a good laugh, there is some shit on the caf that will have you in tears!
That doesnt mean Rants isnt funny either, it is, but take today, i think i saw the funniest football related thing ever!
It had arsenal Celebrations, but the posters took the piss. Ill give you an example.
Arsenal Celebrate a draw with united:
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http://www.thebusbusiness.co.uk/pictures/Arsenal/arsenal.2.jpg
Arsenal Celebrate Draw with united.
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Man City will play a 4-4-2 I can guarantee it. You don’t buy four strikers and only play one of them. Id imagine it would be
Given-Richards, Toure, Kompany, Bridge-SWP, Barry, De Jong, Robinho-Adebayor, Tevez
As for Mourinho. Im not sure. His transfer record is not great and so much of our success has been from identifying the right players to add to our team to keep it fresh. He does seem to have a bias against youth. And I think he has itchy feet and wouldn’t stay here more than a few years.
His biggest strength is that if you give him a settled team he will manage it and win trophies. So he would be great to have in the interim. But long term we need someone who can build new teams so we can re-invent ourselves and be successful over the long haul.
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@colver: Wrong, they wont live out ireland, or barry, or de jong even.
There going 4-3-3.
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Morhino would be welcome but I think Fergie deserves another 5 years!
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Im playing FIFA 09 on Xbox Live right now. How do I have time to comment you say? Well, Im playing against a filthy Italian who made a glitch in the game. After he led 3-0 against me, I now lead 4-3 after 2 minutes of first half extra time. But instead of taking a kick off, he did something that doesnt allow me to control my players. Heck, he cant even controll his own players! Its difficult to desribe, but its obvious he did this on purpose as he has not left the game. The ball is still in the centre circle, and the clock has stopped on 92:56. He is just waiting for me to dig in, to leave so he can get the win on a forfit. How pathetic can you actually be?!
Typical…
But Im not gonna leave, Im gonna annoy him so he has to leave. Even if it means I will have to wait until tomorrow!!! Im not gonna lose, IM NOT GONNA FUCKING LOSE TO THIS SHITHEAD!
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Yeah, Im stubborn as fuck!
Or call it winning mentality, I dont care. I just dont wanna lose to a dickhead who uses dirty tricks to get points…
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He left…
I! NEVER! LOSE!!!
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@Footy4Eddy: Fucking 10minutes lol.
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@Dan: More like 20…
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Playing Shitty as United right now. Team?
VDS
Anderson Rio Ronaldo Evra
Nani Hargreaves Carrick Giggs
Rooney Berbatov
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Anderson right back? ronaldo CB?
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@Footy4Eddy:
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I won 3-1.
Berba brace and a Rooney blaster.
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@Dan: Fuck natural position, Ronaldo has been a monster as CB for me!!!
When facing Torres, Etoo, Messi and Zlatan, he easily catches up with them. Andy is quick as well, so that also works. Only place I actually need speed is in defense, in attack I am just a monster! 
If you think that was a weird team, look at the one I played against Barca earlier today:
VDS
Anderson Ronaldo Evra Giggs
Nani Hargreaves Carrick Rooney
Berbatov Vidic
Vida scored a hat-trick from headers…
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@Footy4Eddy: Challenge!!!
How would you fare with that line-up?
Anderson
Berbatov Nani Ronaldo Rooney
Rio Vidic Evra O’shea
Neville VDS
Fifa 09 video time???
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@NicoQB: If it was PES it could work, but you cant put keepers in outfield positions, vice versa.
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@NicoQB: Im not even gonna try to do that… But I would promise you a clean sheet, because all the guys out there playing seems to be noobs. Its pass-pass-RUN FORREST RUN!!!
Their way of scoring goals is a through pass to a fast attacker(Messi, Etoo, Torres or Villa) then they try to finish. The day someone actually challenges me in the air and trying to score from crosses I will feel happy to see that its not only me that try to play the beautiful way… At least people could try to have more than one dimension in their game, it gets so predictable and boring at times… 
Back to your question, If you switched VDS with Rio and Neville with Macheda I would guarantee a win.
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@Dan: Yes you can…
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@Dan: Ive often scored goals with Rooney as a goalkeeper on Xbox Live…Its not difficult, only gives me another dangerous attacker on the pitch.
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@Footy4Eddy: Really, you couldnt do it in previous fifas, so i naturally assumed you couldnt do it with this one and never tried!
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@Footy4Eddy: The point was to put players the least suitable to a particular position and try to win the game.
As for trying to play te beautiful way, back in the days, I used to refuse to score easy goals on fifa99 (or was it 2000) because it was not gratifying enough. No multiplayer in those days, but I think I would have adopted the same attitude as you do.
But don’t tempt me now!
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@Dan: Well, Ive done it many times myself on FIFA 09. Its quite fun actually, you should try it!
Its just that you cant switch when the game has started, it has to happen before the game. When it has started you can only switch outfielder with outfielder and goalie with goalie.
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@NicoQB: Got it, but I dont think it would be possible to win a game that way(unless penalties required), because VDS and Nevilles finshing has an average of 26. Which would be impossible to score with. But I could use the midfielder though…
Dont think Im gonna try it though, the guy I played against would leave in humiliation for losing to a side like that.
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@Footy4Eddy: I will
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@Dan: Great!
Wanna play a game?
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My guess at the line-up tomorrow, based on the asia tour.
Foster
O’shea
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Valencia
Gibson/carrik
giggs
Park
Owen
Rooney
I think im right in every department except for centre mid, it could be any of them, gibson, carrick or giggs.
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@Footy4Eddy: Must be mad
Maybe Tommorow, cant now because the cock, sorry, brother is playing on the xbox.
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@Dan:
Got it, I might just try the formation Nico pointed out. Gaz is gonna go goal crazy!!! Its gonna be fun watching Neville doing summersaults. 
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@Dan: My guess:
Foster
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia Gibson Anderson Park
Rooney Owen
Not very different from yours.
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@Footy4Eddy: I think the most difficult place to predict is midfield. We know the strikers, wingers, goalkeeper and most of the defence, its just midfield.
I think o’shea edges it, as i think hes played less then brown through out the asia tour.
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Footy4Eddy on Sweetpatch TV!
Link
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZGQurj4AUs&feature=rec-HM-r2
This must be the worst goal celebration everrr!!!
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Dan, do you seriously think they will leave two £20 million strikers on the bench (Tevez, Santa Cruz)? One maybe, but not two.
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@Dan: The drawback (for me) with redcafe is that its quite labyrinthian. As a newbie there I wouldn’t know where to start.
At redrants its very easy, just drop by on the day’s thread and you’re done!
Unless you have some advice to give me…
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For me, Mourinho at United is a nightmare scenario. Totally without class or sportsmanship. I can’t think of a game in the premiership where he gave his opponents any credit. All setbacks for Chelsea were due to poor officiating or cheating opponents – and through it all I remember a succession of dull, grinding affairs where he would slowly bleed his opponents of self-belief as one or another of his 80th minute specialists were subbed on and somehow made the difference. I really couldn’t bear it.
Mourinho for England? Maybe.
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I’m sad that there’s only one mention of Laurent Blanc in the replies. Personally I think he’s the ideal candidate, especially if he can have a season or two of European football with Bordeaux and get them to the quarterfinals or so, which they are capable of if they don’t lose all their best players.
He broke Lyons’ hegemony in Ligue 1 in two seasons, and did so playing attractive football with limited resources and a young side. He is well-acquainted with United and understands the set-up of the club as well as its history and philosophy. He is enough of his own man to withstand the likely huge shadow of Fergie, and while I will accept that we can’t afford to wait 6 or 7 years for success anymore, he comes with similar experience to that Fergie had at first, with the added bonus of having played at the highest level for years and experiencing everything. Coming to manage a club like United is hard, but he won’t want for resources or players, and I really feel he could do it.
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@colver: When a manager has to choose between two equally talented players of approximately same value he always goes for reputation. So I think Tevez would just edge it.
@Footy4Eddy: Fail?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt4X7zFfv4k
FAIL!!!
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@michael: I wonder where all this love for Blanc is coming from. Admittedly the guy is class, but Bordeaux have yet to show some really vintage stuff, as in all guns blazing attack the united way. They also have a worrying tendency to score from set-pieces.
I personally still need convincing.
First I wanna see how Deschamps is going to do at Marseilles.
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