MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jose Mourinho would be a worthy candidate to succeed him in the Old Trafford hot seat.
The 70-year-old has been in charge at United since 1986 and has yet to reveal when he plans to retire.
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But Ferguson has hailed the Real Madrid coach as a man with the qualities to manage the Red Devils in the future.
“He can manage anywhere, absolutely,” Ferguson told an ITV4documentary on Mourinho when asked if the 49-year-old could succeed him at Old Trafford.
“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. He’s got a marvellous, strong personality and that bridges that gap.
“I remember his first press conference (at Chelsea) and I thought, ‘Christ, he’s a cocky b*****, 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 it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league.”
Ferguson went on to reveal he enjoys a close friendship with the former Chelsea boss, adding: “When he comes into my office he can take a joke against himself, that is what I like about him.”
“I give him a lot of stick and he laughs it off. I don’t think it bothers Jose (having a controversial image). He knows it is results that count.”
He’s right though, would we beat the All Blacks or South Africa now? Unlikely. England and Australia ahead of us as well and we caught Wales on a bad day.Also most think we will take Scotland handy enough, not so sure. All sounds negative i know, but its where we’re at right now.
@Bill Clay: right about what?, that Ireland will lose to NZ/SA at quarter final stage, yes he’s allowed to express an opinion, but that doesn’t mean he’s right or wrong seen as this game hasn’t even happened yet.
It might suit us to be underdogs in qf, Last 2 world cups we had so-called favourable draws against Wales and Argentina and were well-beaten in both. South Africa being talked up an awful lot but if we play well we have every chance against them. I would be less hopeful against NZ but even that is not impossible. Let’s not write
ourselves off too soon
I have to say, it’s really frustrating to see commentators write off Scotland. Glasgow regularly put Irish clubs to the sword and we rarely have a walkover with scotland. Their back three have plenty speed and could skin us.
@B Collins: Scotland have beaten us once in the last 7 games we’ve played against them. A game where they played well, we played badly, which was played in Murrayfield and it was still a 1 score game. Their record against tier 1 countries outside Murrayfield is incredibly poor. They could beat us, but it would be unlikely and would be counter to almost everything we’ve seen on the recent past.
@B Collins: Good point, i said it earlier, everyone thinks we’ll take the Scots easy enough, not so sure…. although we will prob get to quarter final, but thats as far as we go i reckon. This is based on current form.
When is the last time we lost to either of those teams? 2 years ago?? After we beat SA to a series at home and beat NZ in Chicago? My memory is not what it used to be but the $h1t€ coming out of these pundits leaves me steaming hastag awkwardfacts
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Yeah, cheers Tony. I’m sure the lads are delighted with your faith in them.
He’s right though, would we beat the All Blacks or South Africa now? Unlikely. England and Australia ahead of us as well and we caught Wales on a bad day.Also most think we will take Scotland handy enough, not so sure. All sounds negative i know, but its where we’re at right now.
That’s the spirit Tony !!!
Tony Ward is some waffler.
Grrat to have faith in the lads ,I DO!!!!!
It’s amazing how many ex players honestly don’t want Ireland to make a semi final. The begrudgery in this country is scary.
@Chris Mc: I don’t see where he said he didn’t want them to make the semi’s. Just that he didn’t believe they would. Surely nothing wrong with that??
@Chris Mc: Vert true Chris, Ward is right as often as he won with Ireland….
He’s right though. He’s allowed express an honest opinion.
@Bill Clay: right about what?, that Ireland will lose to NZ/SA at quarter final stage, yes he’s allowed to express an opinion, but that doesn’t mean he’s right or wrong seen as this game hasn’t even happened yet.
@DERRY1973: they will lose to sa.. I know the irfu fanboys won’t appreciate that
@Bill Clay: What!? call yourself a fan!?! Call yourself an Irishman?! Call yourself a bill!?…
@Bill Clay: Ward is rarely right. You must be new to the sport….example , here he is picking the 2011 Irish WC team…..https://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/tony-wards-30-man-ireland-squad-for-the-world-cup.22995/ If you read him often enough, you will see most lads on here the 42 are more informative.
Give the lads a chance!
You can’t slate the guy for being honest. And as much as want Ireland to go on to the semi final and further, if im honest, I don’t think they will.
@gillespieonthew: I honestly didn’t think we would beat NZ twice in 3 years.
Christ, that’s the spirt Ward. Can just imagine , you and Neil Francis , hanging around with each other, talking absolute b*******
It might suit us to be underdogs in qf, Last 2 world cups we had so-called favourable draws against Wales and Argentina and were well-beaten in both. South Africa being talked up an awful lot but if we play well we have every chance against them. I would be less hopeful against NZ but even that is not impossible. Let’s not write
ourselves off too soon
I have to say, it’s really frustrating to see commentators write off Scotland. Glasgow regularly put Irish clubs to the sword and we rarely have a walkover with scotland. Their back three have plenty speed and could skin us.
@B Collins: They could but they wont
@B Collins: Scotland have beaten us once in the last 7 games we’ve played against them. A game where they played well, we played badly, which was played in Murrayfield and it was still a 1 score game. Their record against tier 1 countries outside Murrayfield is incredibly poor. They could beat us, but it would be unlikely and would be counter to almost everything we’ve seen on the recent past.
@b collins: not regularly Irish clubs beat them when it counts
@B Collins: Good point, i said it earlier, everyone thinks we’ll take the Scots easy enough, not so sure…. although we will prob get to quarter final, but thats as far as we go i reckon. This is based on current form.
When is the last time we lost to either of those teams? 2 years ago?? After we beat SA to a series at home and beat NZ in Chicago? My memory is not what it used to be but the $h1t€ coming out of these pundits leaves me steaming hastag awkwardfacts
An Ireland vs England final would be my dream scenario too!!!! Fingers crossed!! Éire abú!!!!!!!!
Putting the moan already typical in English football but not expected here lets get behind the team go on Ireland