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Jose Mourinho rules out possibility of Manchester United return

By Devesh Jaganath | 15 February 2024

Jose Mourinho rules out Man United return

Jose Mourinho has dismissed rumours suggesting he has unfinished business at Manchester United, affirming that he has no intention of returning to the club as manager.

The 61-year-old, who recently departed Serie A outfit Roma, previously served as the manager of the Red Devils from May 2016 to December 2018.

During his time in Manchester, the Portuguese boss won three trophies and secured a second-placed finish in the Premier League in the 2017-18 season.

Despite leaving Old Trafford over five years ago, Mourinho had been linked with a potential move back to the club since his departure from Roma, but he had dismissed those suggestions in an exclusive interview with former United captain Rio Ferdinand on his official podcast VIBE with FIVE.

When questioned about the possibility of having 'unfinished business' at United, Mourinho responded with a firm "No, not true. No, no, no."

Roma coach Jose Mourinho on December 30, 2023 © Reuters

Ferdinand responded to the Portuguese manager's answer by saying: "Another myth busted."

Mourinho further elaborated on the challenges he faced during his time at Old Trafford, specifically citing the lack of unity and coordination among executives and owners above him.

"The coach was in a hybrid position because in the years before everything was clear with the ownership, Sir Alex [Ferguson] and David Gill, that was changing and then the structure was not fluid.

"For a coach not to have a direct communication with the owners and not to have a structure that shares the same principals and the same ideas was not easy and had consequences at many levels, but I did my best."

Mourinho also took the opportunity to defend former CEO Ed Woodward, who was his superior during his tenure.

Manchester United executive vice-president Ed Woodward pictured in September 2020 © Reuters

"When people criticise Ed Woodward's job, I don't like it because for me he's a good man, but just a man who was like a fish out of water. Very intelligent, very polite, very correct, but not prepared for the sport side of it," he added.

Woodward later stepped aside from his role at Manchester United in February 2022.

United appointed Mourinho as Louis van Gaal's successor with the expectation that he would elevate the club back to the summit of English football.

However, he was dismissed two-and-a-half years into his tenure and replaced by United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who initially assumed the role on an interim basis.

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and will resume their quest to secure a top-four finish when they face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday afternoon.