Manchester United fans hopeful that Jose Mourinho will replace Louis Van Gaal at the end of the season will be a little worried after Sky Sports report that Paris St Germain is head hunting the former Chelsea man.
Jose Mourinho is the most sought-after coach in world football, a fact that has not sneaked passed the nose of Paris St Germain (PSG) chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
When PSG crashed out of the Champions League to Manchester City, I questioned whether Laurent Blanc had taken them as far as he could? It was the fourth time that PSG had crashed out of Europe’s premier cup competition at the quarterfinals stage, and I knew the Qatar owners would want more for their significant investment. It seems I wasn’t alone in that thinking.
According to Sky Sports presenter Andy Burton, an unnamed source has told his news team that the PSG chairman approached Mourinho via his agent Jorge Mendes in the wake of that disastrous defeat against City. The ‘Special One’ has won the Champions League with Porto (2003-04) and Inter Milan (2009-10).
Mourinho, 53, was sacked by Chelsea in December, seven months after leading them to their third Premier League title under his tutelage. At the time of his boot up the ass, they were one point clear of the relegation zone after a mind-boggling start to the season.
Working as a pundit on Sky Sports on Monday Night Football Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas said when questioned about Mourinho’s departure that he trusted his team too much, gave them ‘more holiday’ because ‘they were champions’ and that the team ‘let him down.’
It’s the first time in Mourinho’s managerial career that his ability as a coach has been questioned. He had never finished outside of the Top 7 of any league he had worked in and won eight titles in the 15 seasons he has been in charge of the likes of Uniao de Leiria, Porto, Chelsea (Twice), Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
But What About Manchester United?
Before PSG’s move, the smart money was on Mourinho to replace Louis Van Gaal as the manager of Man Utd in the summer. Van Gaal’s ‘philosophy’ has gone down like a lead balloon at United, and although Mourinho’s managerial style may not see the return of the fast flowing attacking football that United fans grew to expect from the Sir Alex Ferguson era, it’s an obvious connection given his availability.
And yet despite the Dutchman’s torrid season they lie fifth in the Premier League, four points behind Arsenal, and are favourites to win the FA Cup with only Everton, Crystal Palace, and Watford standing in their way. It’s not inconceivable that the United board will allow Van Gaal to see out his contract before handing the reins to Ryan Giggs.
Is Mourinho up to His Old Tricks?
There is also the possibility that the link to PSG is nothing more than a ruse created by the Mourinho camp in a bid to get United to take more action.
Sir Alex Ferguson had always denied reports suggesting that he didn’t believe Mourinho was a bad fit for United, instead explaining to anyone who would like to listen, that he simply wasn’t available to the club when he left, after declaring his intention to return to Chelsea.
Laurent Blanc was recently handed a two-year contract by PSG after winning his fourth straight Ligue 1 title. They are currently 28 points clear of second-place Monaco, and I don’t think Mourinho would want to be in a spot like that. The man revels in competition, and there is none in the French league.
So where will Mourinho end up?
Current Odds (Courtesy of BetVictor)
Paris St Germain – Evens
Man United – 5/4
Real Madrid – 4/1
Inter Milan – 10/1
England National Coach – 20/1
