Reports in the British press suggested former Chelsea FC manager José Mourinho submitted a six-page document to Manchester United in order to convince the Red Devils of his suitability for the job, but the reports have been dismissed as ‘totally absurd’ by his super-agent Jorge Mendes.
An exclusive report on ESPN FC and the Independent from journalist Miguel Delaney suggested that former Chelsea FC and Real Madrid manager José Mourinho wrote a six-page letter to Manchester United highlighting the key changes he would make for the better, and reassuring the Red Devils that he would stick to the club philosophy and adhere to its principles.
There has been resistance within United — from the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, for instance — to the potential appointment of the controversial Portuguese manager, who has been known to cross the line every now and again.
However, his agent Jorge Mendes released a strong statement on his company Gestifute’s website, rubbishing the claims made by Delaney. The English translation of the statement made in Portuguese reads: “Jorge Mendes denies any speculation about José Mourinho. It does not cross anyone’s mind that a manager such as José Mourinho is writing letters to clubs asking for a job. It is absolutely ridiculous and totally absurd.”
Statement from Gestifute on Jose Mourinho’s reported ‘love letter’ to Manchester United. #MUFC #CFC pic.twitter.com/XuzjW28aUs
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) January 24, 2016
Claims not as crazy as Mendes suggests
Perception and tone matters a lot in the football world, and the reports in the British press gave the impression that Mourinho was pleading with Manchester United to consider him for the manager’s role. The truth perhaps lies somewhere in between.
It is not difficult to believe that the former Inter Milan treble-winner wants the hot-seat at Old Trafford, and as such, it is logical enough that he would want to lay out his plans in detail for the benefit of the Reds’ hierarchy. As Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe pointed out on Twitter, Mourinho prepared a similarly impressive presentation when he auditioned for the manager’s role at FC Barcelona in 2008.
Writing detailed plan to United seems like a quite rational thing to do to me. And fits with previous cases. Barcelona say his ….
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) January 24, 2016
…presentation to them was very detailed and impressive, and included promises to respect club’s identity in terms of style, etc….
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) January 24, 2016
…At Liverpool it was similar (when weighing up his options after Porto): they very impressed indeed.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) January 24, 2016
