Mourinho Reflects on Support at Manchester United Compared to Ten Hag’s Era
Jose Mourinho, the former Manchester United manager, has recently voiced his thoughts on the differences in support between his tenure and that of current manager Erik ten Hag. Mourinho, who was at the helm of Manchester United for two and a half years, expressed that the backing he received during his time at Old Trafford was not on par with what Ten Hag is experiencing.
During his stint with the club, Mourinho secured the League Cup and Europa League in the 2016-17 season but was dismissed in December 2018 after a string of poor performances. His managerial career has been extensive, with prestigious clubs like Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur on his resume. However, after being sacked by Serie A side AS Roma in January, Mourinho finds himself reflecting on his past roles.
“What Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn’t have. I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust,” Mourinho shared with The Telegraph. He lamented the lack of faith in his experience and suggested that with more trust, outcomes might have been different. Mourinho also mentioned that some players from his era, whom he deemed not ideal for the club’s stature, are still part of the current squad.
Under Ten Hag’s guidance, Manchester United recently ended a six-year trophy drought by claiming the League Cup. The Dutchman’s arrival from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022 has been met with optimism as the club seeks to reclaim its former glory. This ambition is further bolstered by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in the club last December, taking over soccer operations.
Mourinho, currently without a club, remains passionate about his future in football management. “It is not like I am 61 and I want to stop at 65,” he stated. “No way at all. There is still a long career to go.” His determination to continue in the sport underscores his unwavering commitment to the game.
