Some fans will be wishing he already had
Manchester United have not started the season as the manager, players and fans had hoped. A narrow victory over Leicester papered over the cracks, which were exposed when they fell victim to Brighton and Hove Albion’s ruthlessness last weekend, losing 3-2 at the Amex.
The Mirror have revealed that manager José Mourinho told people close to him that “any other job at any other club and I would have quit,” as he vented his frustrations about a disappointing summer and start to the season.
Mourinho signed a two year contract extension at Old Trafford back in January and is determined to make a success of his time with the club having been chasing the job his entire career. But he has clashed with the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward after he failed to bring in either Toby Alderweireld or Harry Maguire in the summer despite Mourinho insisting that the defence needed reinforcements.
Mourinho has of course spent around £70m on central defenders during his two and a bit years as United boss, bringing in Eric Bailly from Villarreal and Victor Lindelöf from Benfica, neither of whom looked assured against Brighton.
Should Mourinho resign from his post as United boss, Zinedine Zidane is reportedly keen to replace him. Zidane stepped down as Real Madrid manager after winning three consecutive Champions League trophies with Los Blancos and is now looking for a new challenge.
His man management skills proved to be exactly what was needed in the Madrid dressing room when he took over from Rafa Benitez, and his ability to manage a room full of egos might be the key to unlocking this United side’s potential.
