Jose Mourinho opened his Manchester United diary today with his first press conference as manager as the Red Devil’s boss, and didn’t hold back as he touched on everything from United next season to Ryan Giggs departure.
The Portuguese was at his charismatic best as he confidently answered questions from the drooling press, even managing to throw in a cheeky cheap shot at Arsene Wenger in the process. Oh how the Premier League have missed you, Jose.
On United next season, Mourinho claimed he wanted to be ‘aggressive’ and that their aim was ‘to win’. On Ryan Giggs, he said that it was not his fault the Welsh club legend left the club. On Wayne Rooney, he talked about the striker turned holding midfielders role in the squad next season.
And on United’s summer transfer business, he all but announced the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and eluded to a potential fourth signing to come.
Combine the above with his talks of what was a poor last campaign at Chelsea and his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, and you have a very interesting press conference which can tell us a lot about what is to come at United with Mourinho at the helm.
So here are the top ten quotes from the former Real Madrid manager’s first press conference at his new club for you to analyse and enjoy…
On United …
“I am where I want to be. I want to be in this club, this country, in the Premier League.”
He could have taken a job abroad, but his love of the English game has shone through and Mourinho took the job at United. But is it United he wants or the Premier League?
On his Ambitions …
“I don’t hide that I chase Sir Alex’s record in the CL. Hopefully it’s only one season I’m – we – are not there.”
As much as Mourinho will deny he is there for personal reasons and with a point to prove, his ‘I’m – we’ slip-up says a lot about his ambitions personally to match Sir Alex Ferguson.
So long as he is moving the club in the right direction at the same time as matching his own goals as a manager I shouldn’t think United fans will care.
On Next Season …
“Man United is a Champions League club and in July 2017 instead of waiting for the Europa League, we have to make sure this club is where it has to be. That is obviously in the Champions League.”
He may be ‘The Special One’, but it appears Jose may be being more like ‘The Pragmatic One’ in this case as he outlines realistic ambitions to meet for next season. Rather than come out and say ‘we will win the title’, he has set himself up for success as anything on top of a too four finish and a domestic cup is a huge bonus.
On the Style …
“It would be pragmatic to say let’s work and try to get back to the top four and do well in Europa League. I’m not good on that – I don’t want to be, I want to be more aggressive. And to be more aggressive is to say we want to win.”
Building on his last point, Mourinho has stated the aim of Champions League football again, but re-iterated that his side will be aggressive in their pursuit of more – unlike his predecessor Louis Van Gaal.
Again, if it doesn’t work out this season, he has lost nothing and gained something. A smart move.
On Wenger …
“Some managers – the last time they won a title was 10 years ago. Some of them – never. The last time I won a title was a year ago. So if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others.”
This is the Mourinho we’ve all come to know and love/hate – depending on your allegiance of course.
The Portuguese has always gotten under Arsene Wenger’s skin in an attempt to one better him, and it only took 5 minutes of his United career for the games to start all over again. United – Arsenal just regained some of its weight of years gone by.
On the Transfers
“I don’t know, yet. The third player will be official soon.”
When asked about whether or not he will make further changes to the squad before the season begins, Mourinho all but confirmed the signing of their third player – Henrikh Mkhitaryan – in jest with journalists.
The former Chelsea man won’t be coy about pursuing the players he wants, and he never has been.
On the Fourth Man …
“I can try to make you understand the profile. We made a nucleus of four priorities, four positions, to give a certain balance to the squad.” “We decided four targets. We have three at the moment. Until we don’t have the fourth, we are still working hard.”
Two things can be learnt from this Mourinho quote. Firstly, that he is a man with a plan – he knew the men he wanted and in what areas from the second he was appointed and will do all in his power to get them.
Secondly, he isn’t afraid to make big signings and big changes at United. Having signed a striker, attacking midfielder and defender, surely all thats left now is a central midfielder? Paul Pogba, anybody?
On Youth …
“Do you want to know how many players I have promoted from academies? Forty nine. Do you want me to list them out? I promoted 49 from the academies at clubs and two factors that are important for these records.”
Yes, Jose, we would like to hear the list of 49 players you have promoted from the youth academy’s at your former clubs. And no, 16 mins for Dominic Solanke in a 6-0 thrashing of Maribor while at Chelsea doesn’t count.
At least he is willing to defend himself against critics, and it certainly means he has realised that youth is part of the foundation of Manchester United. Sounds like good news for Marcus Rashford and Co.
On Ryan Giggs …
“As for Ryan: it’s not my responsibility that Ryan is not in the club. The job Ryan wanted was the Manchester United manager. That’s not my fault – the owners and Mr Woodward wanted me.”
Many would have blamed Mourinho for the departure of the clubs talismanic hero Ryan Giggs earlier last week. However, the former Chelsea man has come forward and been honest about the situation and the dilemma presented towards him.
Nothing much else can be said on his part, and if United fans really did think about the future of the club, then Ryan Giggs I’m afraid would not be a vital part of it.
On Wayne Rooney …
“Yes, his passing is amazing but mine is also amazing without pressure. Many players have a great pass, but to put the ball in the net is the most difficult. He will be a No9, a No10, a No9.5 but never a No6 or a No8.”
Interpret as you like, however it is certain that Jose Mourinho does not envisage Wayne Rooney playing in midfield next season – most likely because he feels he can bring in the resources in that position from elsewhere.
From the sounds of it, it doesn’t sound like the Englishman is a huge part of his plans in general. A 9.5? Don’t be surprised to see Rooney become a cameo player next season, as Mourinho knows he is not the man whom he wanted to sign at Chelsea 2 years ago.