Three reasons why Manchester United should not sign Jose Mourinho as their next manager

Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho

Widespread reports in UK suggest that Manchester United have made contact with Jose Mourinho for the managerial role. United board still retains the faith in Louis van Gaal, but should the results do not improve over the next couple of weeks, the club would be forced to terminate the Dutchman’s contract.

The Portuguese is a highly successful manager who has won two Champions League in his career and league titles at every club he managed, but is he the right one for Manchester United? Here’s three reasons why he is not.

Enough of short term fix – United need long term plans 

The appointment of Louis van Gaal was a short term fix. Ideally, United wanted to stick with David Moyes, and that’s why he was given six years contract at the first place.

Can United really go against their tradition and appoint managers again and again on short term basis? It’s about laying the foundation and reaping success over a long period of time – that’s been the mantra at this iconic club.

Why Mourinho – a manager who doesn’t have any proven track record of building a legacy? The only time he wanted to build a legacy (the second time at Chelsea), he lasted for only three years!

Mourinho’s antics could damage the club’s reputation 

With Mourinho, you’ll never find a manager who quietly goes on doing a good work at the club. He always wants media attention. He loves controversy.

Sir Alex Ferguson had issues with the press, referees etc, but with Mourinho it is something different – he deliberately gets involved to shift the attentions elsewhere.

United give too much value to preserving their global brand image and they won’t ruin it for Mourinho. The form is temporary, but the good brand image they have created, can sustain forever, should they wish to.

Lack of attention to young academy players 

Mourinho is mostly about signing top players and winning trophy with them and less about developing talents from the academy.

United are one of the few clubs in England who give special importance to nurturing young talents.

How many young academy players have represented Chelsea for a considerable period of time under Mourinho? The same goes for Inter and Real as well.

It is very important for United to find a manager who will carry forward the club’s legacy. Managers like Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone are ideal for Manchester United, but then again, getting them is key. Mourinho is a great manager but that doesn’t mean he is ideally suited for every club in the world.

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