BBC: United hold talks with Mourinho

[Bebe]

So did Rodgers, with a worse Liverpool side. One season means very little and it's not like he's won any trophies yet.

Mm Pochettino doesn't have anyone near the calibre of Suarez imo.

Edit: Though I don't disagree with your general point, Mourinho has proven far more than Pochettino quite obviously.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

There's no chance we'd get Poch regardless.

 

[Giant Midget]

Pochettino is close to winning the league with Spurs.

No chance is he going to come to United where it is going to take him at least another season to get us to the same level.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

Pochettino is close to winning the league with Spurs.

No chance is he going to come to United where it is going to take him at least another season to get us to the same level.

This is bollocks.

I assure you, if he were to be offered the job tomorrow, he would ditch Spurs pronto. It's literally a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

[Jazz]

The fact that he supposedly would not take the job as an interim manager is just showing that he actually doesn't have United at heart but himself. If he would do it then LvG could have been sent packing. Instead he sits there beside him doing absolutely naff all while everything collapses around him.

Glad someone else has noticed this.
Though I disagree with him being intern anyway, rather stick with LVG than someone with no clue about keeping a floundering team as steady as possible.

 

[NinjaZombie]

This is bollocks.

I assure you, if he were to be offered the job tomorrow, he would ditch Spurs pronto. It's literally a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Why would he leave Spurs? United are probably hiring Mourinho, who is prone to leaving clubs in 3-4 seasons tops and he's got a good bunch of young players playing for him at Spurs.

Why wouldn't he want to see what the likes of Kane, Ali and Eriksen do in the next 3 years, and possibly move after that?

On top of the United job, he could even be in the running for Real Madrid and Barcelona, or with their new stadium, and a league title or a couple of trophies under his belt, Spurs could actually be a proper big club by then.

Moving to United at the end of this season won't make sense for Poch, in my opinion.

 

[kafta]

I can't believe how underrated Jose Mourinho is on here by some. Guy is a winner first and foremost.

His players and the boards at Porto and Inter absolutely adore him. The people at Madrid and Chelsea might not, then again they have fallen out with sacked practically every manager in Europe over the past decade.

What it comes down to, in my mind, is that he has the most important thing in common with Sir Alex, and that is win first. No one can guarantee success, but he is as close as possible (alongside Pep), and he is easily the best available option if the club decide to sack LVG this summer.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I can't believe how underrated Jose Mourinho is on here by some. Guy is a winner first and foremost.

His players and the boards at Porto and Inter absolutely adore him. The people at Madrid and Chelsea might not, then again they have fallen out with sacked practically every manager in Europe over the past decade.

What it comes down to, in my mind, is that he has the most important thing in common with Sir Alex, and that is win first. No one can guarantee success, but he is as close as possible (alongside Pep), and he is easily the best available option if the club decide to sack LVG this summer.

Agreed, but I do feel that if this was going to happen, it would have by now.

I can still see Giggs here, as much I would prefer Pochetinno

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Just came here to vote Mourinho YES and I am surprised that 80 % are also for appointing him.

I would not be against Pochettino but looking at our actual Situation Mourinho might be exactly the one we need.

 

[Escobar]

Pochettino is close to winning the league with Spurs.

No chance is he going to come to United where it is going to take him at least another season to get us to the same level.

He would join United no doubt. What he did with Spurs shows me he should be our main target

 

[Woodzy]

I can't believe how underrated Jose Mourinho is on here by some. Guy is a winner first and foremost.

His players and the boards at Porto and Inter absolutely adore him. The people at Madrid and Chelsea might not, then again they have fallen out with sacked practically every manager in Europe over the past decade.

What it comes down to, in my mind, is that he has the most important thing in common with Sir Alex, and that is win first. No one can guarantee success, but he is as close as possible (alongside Pep), and he is easily the best available option if the club decide to sack LVG this summer.

Unfortunately, 5 nightmare months at Chelsea seems to cancel out an entire career of achievement in the eyes of most.

People tend to gloss over the fact that those Chelsea players were largely responsible for that run of form. In fact, I don't think i've witnessed players so evidently playing against the manager.

The reason those players were so against the manager is another can of worms in itself, and is probably a more justified reason for not wanting Mourinho at this club.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Unfortunately, 5 nightmare months at Chelsea seems to cancel out an entire career of achievement in the eyes of most.

People tend to gloss over the fact that those Chelsea players were largely responsible for that run of form. In fact, I don't think i've witnessed players so evidently playing against the manager.

The reason those players were so against the manager is another can of worms in itself, and is probably a more justified reason for not wanting Mourinho at this club.

But hang on a sec. Our players have done exactly thesame thing: missed sitters( Lingard), not concentrated( Blind/Smallig at crucial times), given the ball away cheaply( Depay at Stoke, Mata,Fellaini) but we blame it on the manager!

You can't have it both ways.

 

[Loon]

I was convinced a few days ago this was going to happen. Not so sure now. I still think Van Gaal will go in the summer, regardless.

 

[Woodzy]

But hang on a sec. Our players have done exactly thesame thing: missed sitters( Lingard), not concentrated( Blind/Smallig at crucial times), given the ball away cheaply( Depay at Stoke, Mata,Fellaini) but we blame it on the manager!

You can't have it both ways.

The way players like Costa and Fabregas switched it on as soon as Mourinho had gone was evident. It was a blatant show of players wanting the manager out and i'm sure Chelsea fans will testify to that.

Are our players doing the same? My bet would be not. Smalling and Blind have always been a little error prone, Lingard simply needs to work on his finishing (and has no reason to be against LvG since he is the sole reason he is in the team), Depay is clearly lacking in with his decision making and Fellaini is Fellaini. Mata is the nicest and most beautiful man on the planet so I highly doubt he would be playing against our manager.

With that being said though, I'm sure there is some ill toward from our players and wouldn't be surprised if our play improved without him, if not down to the freedom to play football alone. Lets not forget that up until Derby our biggest problem has been scoring and creating chances.

 

[kafta]

But hang on a sec. Our players have done exactly thesame thing: missed sitters( Lingard), not concentrated( Blind/Smallig at crucial times), given the ball away cheaply( Depay at Stoke, Mata,Fellaini) but we blame it on the manager!

You can't have it both ways.

I agree that its wrong to blame it entirely on the manager both times. The stoke game midweek shows how important taking your early chances are, with regards to opening a match up. Our players certainly didn't help their manager. On the other hand, mourinho has been labelled as poisonous because of it, van gaal hasn't.

I'm just saying for someone with the best track record over the past 12 years or so, the criticism he's getting on here seems unjust IMO. People who don't want him here are just focusing on the negatives.

I wonder if the club hadn't stood by Sir Alex during his multiple outfalls with his players, if he too would've gotten more slack for being 'poisonous and toxic etc'. The way chelsea and madrid are run, they never stand by their manager.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I agree that its wrong to blame it entirely on the manager both times. The stoke game midweek shows how important taking your early chances are, with regards to opening a match up. Our players certainly didn't help their manager. On the other hand, mourinho has been labelled as poisonous because of it, van gaal hasn't.

I'm just saying for someone with the best track record over the past 12 years or so, the criticism he's getting on here seems unjust IMO. People who don't want him here are just focusing on the negatives.

I wonder if the club hadn't stood by Sir Alex during his multiple outfalls with his players, if he too would've gotten more slack for being 'poisonous and toxic etc'. The way chelsea and madrid are run, they never stand by their manager.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I agree that its wrong to blame it entirely on the manager both times. The stoke game midweek shows how important taking your early chances are, with regards to opening a match up. Our players certainly didn't help their manager. On the other hand, mourinho has been labelled as poisonous because of it, van gaal hasn't.

I'm just saying for someone with the best track record over the past 12 years or so, the criticism he's getting on here seems unjust IMO. People who don't want him here are just focusing on the negatives.

I wonder if the club hadn't stood by Sir Alex during his multiple outfalls with his players, if he too would've gotten more slack for being 'poisonous and toxic etc'. The way chelsea and madrid are run, they never stand by their manager.

SAF repaid that by winning the League and rebuilding teams time and time again. I don't see JM doing that...sorry, like the guy, great personality, track record etc but I don't see him working miracles here!

 

[kafta]

SAF repaid that by winning the League and rebuilding teams time and time again. I don't see JM doing that...sorry, like the guy, great personality, track record etc but I don't see him working miracles here!

I don't understand how you expect him to rebuild and repay the faith when he is sacked, by serial sackers, at the fist sign of trouble.

Side note, im not comparing the two managers at all, just an example. Also, im not expecting miracles neither.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I don't understand how you expect him to rebuild and repay the faith when he is sacked, by serial sackers, at the fist sign of trouble.

Side note, im not comparing the two managers at all, just an example. Also, im not expecting miracles neither.

I take your point but it was his choice to go to RM and Chelsea when they have that reputation, he knew the score. He said that the lure of Chelsea wa sgreater than even Man Utd, and that's from a guy who fired him before.

Sorry, just don't see him being appointed here

 

[Norris]

I take your point but it was his choice to go to RM and Chelsea when they have that reputation, he knew the score. He said that the lure of Chelsea wa sgreater than even Man Utd, and that's from a guy who fired him before.

Sorry, just don't see him being appointed here

You really don't think Mou will get a shout here ? I used to think that too, but the Board really have so few options.

 

[2mufc0]

He's the only top class manager available who could come in and make an immediate impact, he also has good pulling power when it comes to signing the top players which would be especially useful if we don't make the CL .

 

[Timdbro]

Ehhh...Rooney?

Would anyone kick up much of a fuss if he were phased out/dropped?

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I was convinced a few days ago this was going to happen. Not so sure now. I still think Van Gaal will go in the summer, regardless.

I think yesterdays game was pivotal in the reign of Van Gaal. If we had won I wouldn't of been shocked if he was kept on next season as it would of been another false dawn with him, but the fact we dropped further away from the Top 4 probably sealed his departure.

 

[Offside]

I was convinced a few days ago this was going to happen. Not so sure now. I still think Van Gaal will go in the summer, regardless.

Just because there is not more stories coming out every day? This is likely to happen.

 

[OJKernow]

Have always been against Mourinho becoming our manager, however the idea has warmed on me for a little while now.

What with our neighbors appointing arguably the best manger going, we need to make a move on the only man out there who can possibly match him. Otherwise we risk another year with LVG and then being in a real tough situation this time next year where no top managers are available.

LVG should see out the season, we're not in a bad bit of form right now and still have a shot at reaching the top 3/4 as well as being in the FA Cup and Europa league. In a perfect world, we claw our way into the top 4 and have a good run in both cup competitions, potentially winning one (will require lucky draws and big boys knocking each other out) but that will allow Louis to leave on good terms and with his head held high. We can thank him for steadying the ship post-Moyes, getting rid of the deadwood, signing some good players and strengthening positions that were lacking for years as well as bringing through some youth players (CBJ, Lingard) and making us more solid defensively. If that were to happen , I honestly think we would owe a lot to the man once we can reflect and look back on things in years to come, even if the football and results have been frustrating as hell at times.

If things don't go that way, then a lot of the above would still apply, but it would justify our decision to part ways with him even more were he to fail with the target of matching or bettering last seasons performance.

Mourinho comes in, picks up a pretty talented squad, makes a couple of additions but no major overhaul required, instills the winning mentality back into the side, turns us back into the arrogant 'We're Man Utd, we do what we want' type of team and hopefully we enjoy a few years of success under him. Whether he leaves after 3 years or breaks the mold and sticks around a little longer, I honestly think he is our only option right now.

 

[Cristiano Lell]

Have always been against Mourinho becoming our manager, however the idea has warmed on me for a little while now.

What with our neighbors appointing arguably the best manger going, we need to make a move on the only man out there who can possibly match him.

Mourinho can't, and won't, exactly 'match' Pep though. What he will do is drag the whole contest down into an ugly battle of mind games, media noise, paranoia, constant moaning outside the pitch and of parking the bus, complaining, playacting, fouling, stirring shit on the pitch.

I sincerely doubt the promise of one season of 'success' (i.e. winning some trophy in the second year) is worth all that damage.

 

[Cal?]

Mourinho can't, and won't, exactly 'match' Pep though. What he will do is drag the whole contest down into an ugly battle of mind games, media noise, paranoia, constant moaning outside the pitch and of parking the bus, complaining, playacting, fouling, stirring shit on the pitch.

I sincerely doubt the promise of one season of 'success' (i.e. winning some trophy in the second year) is worth all that damage.

Mourinho is the only man alive who's beaten Guardiola to a league title.

 

[Raul Madrid]

Mourinho can't, and won't, exactly 'match' Pep though. What he will do is drag the whole contest down into an ugly battle of mind games, media noise, paranoia, constant moaning outside the pitch and of parking the bus, complaining, playacting, fouling, stirring shit on the pitch.

I sincerely doubt the promise of one season of 'success' (i.e. winning some trophy in the second year) is worth all that damage.

That is a good description of Guardiola and his teams too.

 

[AkaAkuma]

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Why would he leave Spurs? United are probably hiring Mourinho, who is prone to leaving clubs in 3-4 seasons tops and he's got a good bunch of young players playing for him at Spurs.

Why wouldn't he want to see what the likes of Kane, Ali and Eriksen do in the next 3 years, and possibly move after that?

On top of the United job, he could even be in the running for Real Madrid and Barcelona, or with their new stadium, and a league title or a couple of trophies under his belt, Spurs could actually be a proper big club by then.

Moving to United at the end of this season won't make sense for Poch, in my opinion.

He's said he'd only leave for the 2 spanish teams. It wouldnt suprise me if he sticks with spurs until either he gets one of the jobs or it becomes obvious he's missed the boat.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Have always been against Mourinho becoming our manager, however the idea has warmed on me for a little while now.

What with our neighbors appointing arguably the best manger going, we need to make a move on the only man out there who can possibly match him. Otherwise we risk another year with LVG and then being in a real tough situation this time next year where no top managers are available.

LVG should see out the season, we're not in a bad bit of form right now and still have a shot at reaching the top 3/4 as well as being in the FA Cup and Europa league. In a perfect world, we claw our way into the top 4 and have a good run in both cup competitions, potentially winning one (will require lucky draws and big boys knocking each other out) but that will allow Louis to leave on good terms and with his head held high. We can thank him for steadying the ship post-Moyes, getting rid of the deadwood, signing some good players and strengthening positions that were lacking for years as well as bringing through some youth players (CBJ, Lingard) and making us more solid defensively. If that were to happen , I honestly think we would owe a lot to the man once we can reflect and look back on things in years to come, even if the football and results have been frustrating as hell at times.

If things don't go that way, then a lot of the above would still apply, but it would justify our decision to part ways with him even more were he to fail with the target of matching or bettering last seasons performance.

Mourinho comes in, picks up a pretty talented squad, makes a couple of additions but no major overhaul required, instills the winning mentality back into the side, turns us back into the arrogant 'We're Man Utd, we do what we want' type of team and hopefully we enjoy a few years of success under him. Whether he leaves after 3 years or breaks the mold and sticks around a little longer, I honestly think he is our only option right now.

Good post. This is pretty much how I feel about him as well.

Not a fan of his temperament and personality, but he's a winner and we need a winner, and we probably need that arrogance and belief from a manager. Moyes was a deer in the headlights, and LvG appears an emotionless robot at times. I just hope Mourinho has learned from the last 6 months, and learns to be smarter when forging the us-against-them mentality.

And especially with Liverpool getting Klopp and now City getting Guardiola, two of the best managers around at our two most bitter rivals, now is definitely not the time to experiment with Ryan Giggs.


I agree with the bit about LvG too. The good he is done is clouded by the current underachievement and the often dour football, but I do think he has done a lot of positive work for the club in the last 18 months. I want the change to happen, but I have no ill-feeling towards him.

 

[AkaAkuma]

Im curious to know peoples thoughts on the actual bbc report. It wasnt very conclusive - all I could take from it was either united or mourinho/mendes had briefed the press. The reports only said that talks, what stage they dont know, had happened.

With Mourinho giving an interview a few days later, im inclined to think it was his side who leaked the story.

One idea I had was that he's playing the chinese for the best deal. "united want me, reluctant to leave england and children" = "double your offer and let me 'work' from london".

 

[Loon]

Just because there is not more stories coming out every day? This is likely to happen.

You're probably right, it's the lack of stories. I'm just not so sure any more.

 

[OJKernow]

Mourinho can't, and won't, exactly 'match' Pep though. What he will do is drag the whole contest down into an ugly battle of mind games, media noise, paranoia, constant moaning outside the pitch and of parking the bus, complaining, playacting, fouling, stirring shit on the pitch.

I sincerely doubt the promise of one season of 'success' (i.e. winning some trophy in the second year) is worth all that damage.

Fair comment.

I don't think Pep will have everything his own way at City though, when you look at their squad it is nothing like the Barca squad he took over. Quality wise, player for player (on paper) I wouldn't put much between us and them. I know Mourinho had huge resources and big players himself but at the time Barca were in the twilight of being one of the best sides we've ever seen. I don't think the gap between us and City is the same and so hopefully wouldn't require quite as extreme an approach. Pep will do well at City and will almost certainly win a lot, but I think with Mourinho at the helm we'd also have a good shot at success.

It was nowhere near the same extent as his antics Vs Barca when at Madrid but we were no angels back in the day when we used to play Arsenal when the two of us were battling it out for the league. The Neville brothers 'kicking Reyes and co off the park', Fergie playing his usual mind games, using the media to help put pressure on Arsenal and the referees whilst instilling an 'us against the world' mentality in our squad.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

One idea I had was that he's playing the chinese for the best deal. "united want me, reluctant to leave england and children" = "double your offer and let me 'work' from london".

Well, what he says about living in London is arguably somewhat ambiguous, but it could be taken to mean that while his "family home" will remain London, he - himself - is ready to "move" as he says, meaning he is ready to move from London for work. Shouldn't be a problem for a man in his situation: His kids are all but grown up and he'll be seeing them a lot anyway, what with the short distance.

The other part, meanwhile, seems very much unambiguous: He can't work in London, i.e. working for another London club (than Chelsea) is impossible. And yet he wants to keep working in the Premier League. The math isn't very complex, it would seem.

 

[golden_blunder]

what else could he say?

 

[SirAF]

Mourinho can't, and won't, exactly 'match' Pep though. What he will do is drag the whole contest down into an ugly battle of mind games, media noise, paranoia, constant moaning outside the pitch and of parking the bus, complaining, playacting, fouling, stirring shit on the pitch.

I sincerely doubt the promise of one season of 'success' (i.e. winning some trophy in the second year) is worth all that damage.

If that trophy is either the PL or CL (or both) then it is most certainly worth it.

 

[kafta]

Why is it universally accepted that Pep is a better manager than Mourinho?

If anything Jose has almost matched his trophy haul with much lesser teams, and in more countries.

I get the attractive football angle, but why ignore that he has also been found out in the CL a couple of times, and hasn't had thing going his way with bayern these past couple of years.

Again, people are just focusing on Jose's negatives, and exaggerating Pep's positives.

 

[adexkola]

Why is it universally accepted that Pep is a better manager than Mourinho?

What universe do you live in? At least on the Caf, it is at the very least evenly split between the two. If a poll was conducted I'd place money on Mourinho winning out on the question of who's better.

If anything Jose has almost matched his trophy haul with much lesser teams, and in more countries.

If you evaluate the two on a year by year basis since Pep came on the scene, or do an average, Pep comes out ahead. Yes, he had the better team, but Mou wasn't managing Leicester was he?

I get the attractive football angle, but why ignore that he has also been found out in the CL a couple of times, and hasn't had thing going his way with bayern these past couple of years.

You can't pull that card out for Pep without pulling it out for Mou, and the latter has found the semifinal stage an impossible hurdle to leap over since Inter's victory.

Again, people are just focusing on Jose's negatives, and exaggerating Pep's positives.

Both have pros and cons, but I find on here that Jose has his band of vigorous defenders. Pep doesn't (except me, when I feel like being an obstinate contrarian cnut)

 

[Pexbo]

Why is it universally accepted that Pep is a better manager than Mourinho?

If anything Jose has almost matched his trophy haul with much lesser teams, and in more countries.

I get the attractive football angle, but why ignore that he has also been found out in the CL a couple of times, and hasn't had thing going his way with bayern these past couple of years.

Again, people are just focusing on Jose's negatives, and exaggerating Pep's positives.

That's actually a very good point. There's always a comment that Pep made Barcelona what it was during that period after Rijkaard failed to get the best out of them but at the end of the day this was still a team that contained Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol and Dani Alves amongst others. While at Bayern he has had Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Robben, Ribery, Gotze, Alaba, Boateng, Martinez and Kroos amongst others at his disposal.

He's hardly taken teams above the level of "the sum of all it's parts".

Both teams had an absolutely frightening amount of individual talents and he has yet to prove that he can make a team greater than the sum of all its talent. Should that Porto team have won the Champions League? probably not. Was the Inter side the favorites for the UCL that season? Not close.


It's probably a moot point because I doubt Pep will ever select a team that isn't close to the top but what sort of job would he do at Tottenham or Valencia? I'd fancy Mourinho to get both pushing for the league and doing well in the Champions League in the space of 2 years.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Why is it universally accepted that Pep is a better manager than Mourinho?

If anything Jose has almost matched his trophy haul with much lesser teams, and in more countries.

I get the attractive football angle, but why ignore that he has also been found out in the CL a couple of times, and hasn't had thing going his way with bayern these past couple of years.

Again, people are just focusing on Jose's negatives, and exaggerating Pep's positives.

Grass always greener on the other side etc