Soccer

Jose Mourinho tells fans to forget last three years at Manchester United

The new manager spoke to United’s in-house television channel about his appointment

Mourinho tells Manchester United to forget the last three years as he takes over as manager at Old Trafford. Video: Reuters
Fri May 27 2016 - 13:06

Jose Mourinho's long-expected appointment as Manchester United manager was confirmed on Friday.

The media will have to wait until July to speak to him but Manchester United’s in-house television station MUTV asked him about his new role, the future and United’s fans.

Congratulations on becoming the new Manchester United manager — how do you feel?

“I feel great. Well, I think I am in the right moment in my career because Man United is one of these clubs where you need really to be prepared for it because it is what I used to a call giant club. And giant clubs must be for the best managers and I think I am ready for it, so I could say I am happy, I am proud, I am honoured, I am everything. But the reality is that what I love is to work and I cannot wait for the seventh of July to go on the pitch.”

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You have won trophies everywhere. What are your ambitions for Manchester United?

“I think we can look at our club now in two perspectives. One perspective is the past three years and another perspective is the club history. I think I prefer to forget the past three years, I prefer to focus on the giant club I have in my hands now. I think what the fans are expecting me to say is that I want to win. I think what the players they need to listen (to) is I want to win. And more than that, I need the players and supporters to feel that I say that, but I think we can really. It’s not just to say what I say. So, yes, I want to focus on the history of this giant club and give what I have and what I don’t have, so I will give absolutely everything to try and go in the direction we all want.”

You seem to have had a good rapport with Manchester United fans when you’ve been with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and a charity game. What is your message to United fans?

“You know, I think I know what they can give me. I think also they know what I can give them. Obviously the most important thing are the players and the relation of the players is the bridge with them, but I think it is very important and curious that I have played so many times against Man United and I played so many times at Old Trafford with other clubs. There was empathy, no problems and, in fact, I was pushed by that feeling to say sometimes things that my clubs were not happy with. I remember, for example, when I won at Old Trafford with Real Madrid, I told that the best team lost. Not many people was happy at Real Madrid.