Jose Mourinho recalls iconic Man Utd speech while criticising top clubs for inexperienced hires

Key Highlights

• Chelsea handed Liam Rosenior a six-year deal after parting ways with Enzo Maresca. It’s these kinds of decisions that have drawn criticism from Mourinho, who questions whether owners are making choices based on merit or other factors.
• His comments echo those of Rui Faria, who also took issue with how Ineos is running things at United. Mourinho’s comments came ahead of Benfica’s Champions League match against Juventus when he was asked about coaching opportunities at major clubs. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“For me it is a surprise when coaches with no history and no work done have the opportunity to coach the most important teams in the world; this is real surprise,” Mourinho told Leggo before going on to explain why some hires didn’t surprise him as much.
• “When Milan takes Allegri, when Juventus takes Spalletti or when Roma chooses Gasperini, these are never surprises.”While much of his frustration seemed aimed at Real Madrid and Chelsea, Carrick’s appointment hasn’t been without its own questions.
• Before taking over at Old Trafford last week, he’d spent just two and a half years managing Middlesbrough. Jose Mourinho’s comments bring back memories of his 2018 ‘heritage’ speechThis isn’t the first time Mourinho has made headlines with a passionate outburst, and it probably won’t be the last either. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBack in 2018, after United were knocked out of the Champions League by Sevilla, he famously went on a lengthy defence of his record and the state of the club. Though he had already delivered Europa League and Carabao Cup titles, going out in the round of 16 sparked one of his more memorable post-match speeches.
• Mourinho said: “I say to the fans that the fans are the fans, and the fans have the right to have their opinions and to have their reactions.”Mourinho pulled out pre-written notes to drive home his point: “The last time Manchester United won the Champions League, which didn’t happen a lot of times, was 2011 (interruption from reporters calling out “2008!”) Oh yes (reached) final.”READ MORE: Harry Maguire says Jose Mourinho signed an underrated Man United star.