Secondly, although it may be a controversial point, perhaps Mourinho’s destructive and short-term nature of management is exactly what is needed in the immediate aftermath of Ferguson’s departure. Mourinho often looks to buy players at the peak of their powers, squeezes every last drop out of them before moving on within two to three years and leaving behind a bedraggled outfit. Just look at the examples of Porto, Chelsea and Inter post-Mourinho as all struggled to cope with an ageing, fatigued group of players. Of course, this is hardly what Manchester United want to be left with but Mourinho does appear to have improved somewhat in this regards, with the team he is likely to leave at Real Madrid still relatively young.
However, for Manchester United to hire another long-term “project” manager in the mould of say, an Andre Villas-Boas or an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer immediately after Ferguson would put immense pressure on the new man’s soldiers. Any failure would immediately be compared with Ferguson, particularly as such managers often get off to difficult and trophyless starts as they attempt to impose their new style on the squad. Mourinho however would ensure that the winning of trophies and thus continuation of Ferguson’s tradition of achievement would come above anything else. Manchester United may well be attributed to bringing in young players and to attractive football but above all else the club is summed up by it’s excellence on the football field and undoubtedly, Mourinho’s record of immediate excellence at his clubs is almost second to none.
Thirdly and perhaps most importantly, Mourinho would understand the very nature and ethos at the club. In his time at Chelsea the “Special One” had nothing but praise for the club and appears to be well aware of its standing in world as well as English football. Sir Alex Ferguson has often commented on the stature of the club that he manages and the importance in comprehending just what it means to its supporters. To have a manager in charge of United who may not completely connect to the fans or the values of the club would be suicidal to the post-Ferguson legacy.
Mourinho connects with the supporters of his clubs like no other manager. At both Chelsea and Inter, the fans often still chant his name and considering that the two clubs have hardly endured complete collapse since the 49-year-old’s departure, that in itself is testament to Mourinho’s managerial class.
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