One of the graduates of the Class of ’92 has had his say on the imminent appointment of Jose Mourinho as Manchester United manager, and he thinks the Portuguese is the best man for the job but is not the long-term solution.
Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville knows full well what it takes to be a Manchester United manager, having also been an assistant manager at the club under David Moyes in 2013-14. Neville has recently spoken out about the almost certain appointment of Jose Mourinho as Manchester United manager next season, claiming that he doesn’t envision the special one acting as the long term solution for the club.
“For as long as I’ve known it you’ve got to be the best at Manchester United,” said Phil, in an interview with the BBC.
“Mourinho is a proven winner. United fans want a team challenging for the league title, they don’t want a team finishing in seventh or fifth.”
Neville added that the Portuguese has a pattern at clubs, where after a few years he gets disgruntled and the team’s form dips.
“I can’t see him staying for too long at United – maybe two or three years seems to be his shelf life at a club – but as long as he brings success United fans won’t be unhappy.
“The pressure of football management and demands from owners and supporters and media now means two to three years in a job is enough.”
Still no confirmation on Mourinho’s appointment yet
The speculation surrounding Jose Mourinho’s appointment as the next manager at Manchester United has been growing exponentially since “the special one” parted ways with Chelsea in December. Even as the Red Devils were winning the FA Cup, it was being reported that the club were set to announce Mourinho as their new manager this week.
However, despite all the sources, media confirmations and cries of ‘it’s over’, there has still been no official word from the Manchester United hierarchy. This precarious state of affairs is set to boil over soon, and even though so many reputed media houses like BBC and SkySports are confident Mourinho is taking over, there might still be a twist in the tale.
