During his tenure at Manchester United, Jose Mourinho faced significant conflicts with players and frequently expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of support from the then-chief executive, Ed Woodward, particularly in the transfer market. Despite securing the club record signing of Paul Pogba for an astounding £89 million, Mourinho’s time at the helm was marked by a series of setbacks. One notable disappointment was the failure to secure the services of Virgil van Dijk, who ultimately opted to join Liverpool instead.
Rather than acquiring van Dijk, Manchester United chose to sign Victor Lindelof from Benfica for £30 million, while also retaining players like Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, and Marcus Rashford, who continued to play for the club even after Mourinho’s departure. In an interview with the Telegraph, Mourinho hinted that the retention of certain players had a negative impact on the club’s subsequent struggles, suggesting that Manchester United had regressed since his time as manager.
Sharing his sentiments, Mourinho remarked, “There are still a couple of players there I didn’t want five or six years ago. I believe they embody qualities that aren’t ideal for a club of this stature. However, I fulfilled my duties there. Time always reveals the truth. I would love for Manchester United to thrive.” Currently without a managerial position after parting ways with Roma earlier in the season, Mourinho also took aim at Ed Woodward, insinuating that current Ajax manager Erik ten Hag had a more supportive structure at his disposal than Mourinho had experienced during his time at Manchester United.
Reflecting on his relationship with Woodward, Mourinho commented, “My personal relationship with Ed Woodward was positive. However, professionally, it was lacking. I am deeply passionate about football, but Ed comes from a different background. Ten Hag’s experience at Manchester United was different from mine. I didn’t have that level of backing or trust, so I departed with regret, feeling that I was just at the beginning of a process.”
While Mourinho did guide Manchester United to a second-place finish in his second season, an accomplishment he once held in high regard among his football achievements, the club’s current standing, currently seventh in the league, stands in stark contrast to those previous heights. Despite not completely ruling out a return to management, Mourinho remains ambiguous about his future plans. There has even been support from some Chelsea fans for his potential return to Stamford Bridge, showcasing discontent towards current manager Mauricio Pochettino. This uncertainty underscores the complex dynamics of managerial tenures and the ever-changing landscape of football management.