There was a sense, when Jose Mourinho stayed on to applaud the fans, that even he knew it might be one of the final times he’d do so.
Before heading down the Old Trafford tunnel after Manchester United fell to a 3-0 defeat to Spurs on Monday night, Mourinho enjoyed a moment with the supporters who remained in the stadium.
“All our fans don’t read papers. All our fans don’t watch television. All our fans are more intelligent than that. They answered in an absolutely amazing way,” Mourinho said in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Jose Mourinho applauding the remaining Man Utd fans at Old Trafford. 😵 pic.twitter.com/pSs97ya9fg
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) August 27, 2018
“I don’t think it’s normal for a team to lose a game at home and for the supporters to react the way they did.”
Any semblance of contentment disappeared when Mourinho met reporters for his press conference as the United boss stormed out demanding respect.
Having suffered his heaviest ever home defeat as a manager, Mourinho’s days at United now look numbered.
Monday’s result was the first time in 25 years that United lost two of their opening three Premier League games and talk has understandably turned to who should replace Mourinho if he is relieved of his duties.
If Mourinho goes who should replace him at @ManUtd? Andy Gray's choice stuns @richardajkeys into silence! #beINPL #MUNTOT #MUFC pic.twitter.com/IoqF7d4469
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 27, 2018
Zinedine Zidane is the somewhat obvious choice and the former Real Madrid manager was the first name out of Richard Keys’ mouth when asked who should take over from Mourinho.
On beIN SPORTS’ coverage of the game, Andy Gray left his colleagues in stunned silence when he gave his pick for Mourinho’s successor.
“I’m going to give you a name and you might laugh at me,” Gray said.
“I’m going to give you another one… Roberto Martinez.”
The studio fell hushed as Keys attempted to come to terms with Gray’s thoughts on the matter and supporters were similarly perplexed.
Andy Gray reckons Martinez should get the United Job if Mourinho goes 😂😂😂
— Sean Lawrence (@SL1878) August 27, 2018
Andy Gray said get Martinez in 😂😂😂😂
— Zidane (@zi1dane) August 27, 2018
Hahahahahahaha Roberto Martinez. Fuck off Andy Gray😂 https://t.co/b1U5PRROMa
— Liam Hall (@LGH87) August 27, 2018
Andy Gray actually said Roberto Martinez… Surely man’s trolling?
— Richie Haddad (@Richie_Haddad17) August 27, 2018
I actually choked. A whole Andy Gray really said Roberto Martinez with so much confidence. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
— Noz Ahmed (@NozAhmed) August 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/LuceFord_/status/1034198791530799104
https://twitter.com/samcarney92/status/1034197856947601410
Roberto Martinez is a horrendous shout, of course, Keys was polite in his response to Gray
— Ben (@BenJoyceFoot) August 27, 2018
Andy Gray thinks Roberto Martinez should replace Mourinho 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dY2Ugl2of3
— Seb Losardo (@SebLosardo) August 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/jimmymarshpne/status/1034196366170308612
