José Mourinho has once again revealed his desire to stay at Manchester United for the long haul. He even went on to say that he wants to emulate the success of manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Regarded as one of the greatest coaches in world football, Ferguson created a dynasty at United by staying at the club for more than 25 years. It was not time spent for just creating records, as the Scot transformed Manchester United into one of the best clubs on and off the field.
One of the criticisms of Mourinho is that he does lacks the ability to build for the long-term future of the club. Despite having won more than 20 trophies in the last decade, he has never managed to stay at the club for more than three years. Mourinho either has a fallout with the club’s hierarchy or the players before marching onto a new challenge. His departure from Inter Milan back in 2010 may probably be the only time he has actually quit the club for a new challenge.
It is highly unlikely that the Portuguese will do the same at Manchester United considering that he has coveted this job for a long time. Since taking over on a three-year contract, he has frequently reminded the media and fans about his desire to stay at the club for the long haul. Unsurprisingly, these were his words when he took charge of Chelsea in 2013. As cited by Daily Mail, he has said:
“If you ask me would I like to stay for more time than these three years then, yes,’ he said. ‘I’m in the club that I want to be.
“I’d love it but I have to deserve that. If one day the club thinks I deserve it I will be very happy about that. I am just at the beginning.
“The best manager in the history of the Premier League needed a few years to build such a successful period. If the best needed that time, others also need that time.”
Critics have been left bemused by some of his decisions even at this early stage into his United career. He recently questioned the commitments of Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling – two first-team regulars in the squad – in public and it is a recipe for losing the trust of the squad.
His exit at Chelsea, in the second spell, came just seven months after winning the league title and it was widely perceived as a sign of players not wanting to play for the manager. Results immediately improved after Mourinho left the club. The Portuguese is probably the first one to know that building a dynasty is easier said than done. After all, the Premier League has witnessed only two managers – Ferguson and Arsene Wenger – to have stayed at a club for more than 20 years.
Mourinho confirmed his desire to stay at Old Trafford for a long time while announcing the club’s decision to offer a new contract to striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The striker initially joined on a one-year contract, but Mourinho has revealed the option of a second year inserted within the contract. United are now looking set to activate this clause, which will see Ibrahimovic stay at United until the summer of 2018.
