Jose Mourinho was unveiled today as Manchester United Manager, and there are story lines aplenty emerging from his approximately 25 minute media session. The Special One revealed that Ryan Giggs wanted his job, and that’s why Giggs is no longer with the club. He also said that Wayne Rooney will not be used as a midfielder.
You can watch the whole Mourinho presser video here at this link.
On top of all this, Mourinho also fired a shot at both Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger, his longtime hated rival, and the predecessor at his current position, Louis van Gaal.
“Some managers — the last time they won a title was 10 years ago. Some of them — never. The last time I won a title was a year ago. So if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others.
“The reality is it was never important for me. I play against myself. I have to prove not to the others but to myself — that’s my nature. I would never be able to work without success.
“I have to always find the reasons why I have as many questions towards myself and the people working with me — that’s my nature. I could approach this job in a defensive point of view by saying ‘the last three years the best we did was fourth and an FA Cup.’
“I could go into that side but I can’t. Manchester United is a different dimension [to other clubs] but when person have the same menu year after year, it has to change for the better than worse.”
There’s absolutely nothing subtle about those digs; not at all. Mourinho continued:
“For United fans for many years, success was just routine — but the last three years are years to forget. I don’t want the players to start thinking we have to do better. To finish fourth is not the aim.
“This is what I do with myself. I am 53, not 63 or 73. I am a very young manager. If I have this approach of not trying to prove to myself or others, not go for big challenges — then I’m in trouble. The reality is I was in trouble the past five months.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
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