[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking to Sky Sports, Jose Mourinho has opened up on the level of criticism he received during his stint as Manchester United manager.
What did he say?
Mourinho took over the Red Devils in May 2016 and led the club to a League Cup and Europa League triumph in his first campaign. After then finishing his second season only behind champions Manchester City, United endured a difficult start to the 2018/2019 campaign and promptly sacked Mourinho in December of last year.
Now, the 56-year-old has revealed his dismay at what he felt was a certain lack of recognition for his achievements, but vowed to return to management with a “big smile”.
[ad_pod ]
He said: “I can just say that the Manchester United time was not an easy time. I always felt that to win the Europa League was fantastic and it didn’t look like it was, the way people approach it. To finish second was even more than that (success), so probably I was feeling a little bit like: ‘Wow, I’m working well, I’m giving everything and I’m not getting what I think that deserves’.
“The only thing I can promise you is that when I have the next club, the next project, I will be so, so happy that I will walk into that press conference with a big smile. That I can promise.”
Harshly judged?
After seeing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fail to turn the ship around in the second half of the season, Mourinho’s time in charge may now be looked upon more favourably. The Portuguese boss has always been synonymous with trophies and he delivered two of those in his first campaign at the club.
To then finish second behind one of the greatest sides in Premier League history is certainly nothing to be sniffed at, and whilst the club struggled in the early stages of last season, it just felt like Mourinho had simply lost the dressing room by the end.
The task of the rebuilding job at hand at Old Trafford is clear for all to see, but Mourinho’s efforts in trying to raise the club from its Sir Alex Ferguson slumber should not be forgotten all too hastily.
[ad_pod ]
