Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen on a sensational return to Manchester United, despite the club showing no interest in re-appointing him.
Mourinho has expressed to close sources that he would “walk” to Manchester for another chance at the helm of United, following his dismissal back in December 2018, the Manchester Evening News reports. Despite being friends with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Mourinho isn’t holding his breath for an offer from Old Trafford.
The two-time Champions League winner maintains a friendship with Ratcliffe but isn’t expecting an approach from the club he previously managed. United are currently eighth in the Premier League and at the possibility of their worst finish since 1990.
This season’s 18 defeats have marked their highest since the 1977-78 campaign. With an FA Cup final against Manchester City scheduled for May 25, Erik ten Hag’s future is uncertain after a disappointing season that saw United bow out of Europe before Christmas and exit the League Cup early.
United have been scouting for potential replacements for Ten Hag, who hasn’t seen unequivocal support from Ratcliffe since he secured a 27.7 per cent stake in February. Mourinho took over the reins from Louis van Gaal in May 2016 and led United to victories in the League Cup and Europa League in his debut season.
The Red Devils climbed to second place in the Premier League and made it to the FA Cup final in Mourinho’s second season but he was left unsupported in the 2018 summer transfer window. Mourinho’s latest stint was with Roma, where he steered them to Europa Conference League success in 2022.
Roma made it to the Europa League final last season but fell short against Sevilla in a penalty shootout.
Prior to his stint with the Italian side, the 61-year-old spent two seasons at Chelsea after returning to Stamford Bridge for a second time in 2013. The ‘Special One’ went on to become the most successful manager in the Blues’ history and although he didn’t deliver the Champions League, he won eight major trophies including three Premier League titles in his two stints as manager.
Reports have recently linked Mourinho with a third stint at Stamford Bridge as current manager Mauricio Pochettino continues to come under pressure. He had a less successful stint at Tottenham however, after a two-year spell between 2019 and 2021. Mourinho was dismissed after 17 months in charge of Spurs, just a few days before the club’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
Although he didn’t win any trophies with the club, he claimed he had won ‘half a trophy.’ He said at the time: “25 and a half trophies. The half is the final I didn’t play with Tottenham.”
