Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly opened talks over a new deal but as things stand today, neither the Portuguese nor the club are in a rush to reach an agreement.
This comes in the wake of recent reports linking the United manager to Paris Saint-Germain after he admitted that he would not end his career at Old Trafford. In the press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ Champions League encounter, Jose was even reported to have mentioned that he believed it is now “impossible” to remain at a single club for as long as Sir Alex Ferguson did.
However, ESPN claims that Mourinho and United have already begun negotiations to extend his deal. However, there is calm on both sides who are relaxed about the negotiations. There were reports that Mourinho would be offered a 5-year deal worth £65m, substantiating his position as one of the best-paid managers in the world.
The 54-year-old tactician’s current deal expires in 2019 with an option of one-year extension. Jose trashed the reports linking him to PSG and said that he would stay at the club.
Speaking before the match against Benfica, Jose said:
“I was asked ‘how is it possible in modern football that any manager is going to last 15 to 20 years in the same club?’ I think it is impossible to last for so long. If, in this moment, I wanted to finish my career in two, three, four or five years then I would say yes, I want to finish my career with Manchester United.”
The Old Trafford top hierarchy is reportedly impressed by the way Jose has turned things around at the club. The Portuguese tactician has not just guided United to two trophies in his first season, he was also able to win back the confidence of Old Trafford faithful with aggressive displays at home.
United started the season very brightly and are currently behind rivals Manchester City by just two points. Although a stalemate at Anfield doused hopes in certain quarters, the Premier League title is still within reach.
In Champions League too, United remain on track to clinch a spot in the knockout stage for the first time since 2014 after a third consecutive win this week.
However, it is still too early to say if fans are in line with this new contract links. Most of them could be waiting until the end of this season to see if Jose is really the man to bring Premier League title back to Old Trafford.
