Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho as a potential successor to his position as manager at Manchester United.
The Red Devils have enjoyed 26 years under Ferguson’s guidance, but set to turn 71 at the end of this month, attention is ever growing as to who will step into his shoes at Old Trafford.
The Scot, who is expected to have a say in who replaces him at the club, was asked this weekend if former adversary at Chelsea Mourinho is capable of the task and he responded positively.
“He can manage anywhere, absolutely,” he told Itv4.
“I’m not going to put any forecasts on what is going to happen at this club. I won’t last forever, but Jose can manage anywhere, there is no question about that.”
Mourinho has not played the game professionally, but Ferguson does not think that is relevant.
“I would never think a guy who hasn’t played a game could be a top Coach, but then you’ve got to look at his personality, I think his personality does it. He’s got a marvellous, strong personality and I think that bridges that gap.”
The Portuguese, who is reportedly on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu next summer, has won 20 trophies in the past decade.
“That’s incredible. How old is he now? Fiftieth year. So he is 20 years behind me. At the same rate he is going to add another 42 trophies. At the current rate, that is amazing isn’t it?
“I remember his first Press conference at Chelsea and I thought ‘he’s a cocky b****r, him’. He was telling the players, ‘Look, I'm the Special One, we don't lose games’.
“Bloody hell, coming to England, he is only a young man and saying he is the Special One! But what it did, it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the League.”