Manchester United hero can’t see long-term success under Jose Mourinho

Posted by

Former Manchester United star Phil Neville has revealed his belief that while Jose Mourinho will be a success at the club, it won’t last long enough.

According to BBC Sport, the Portuguese tactician will be appointed as the club’s new manager this week, replacing Louis van Gaal despite the fact that the Dutchman lifted the FA Cup on Saturday.

It remains to be seen whether or not Mourinho is officially confirmed as the new boss in the coming days, but given the speculation that has strongly linked him with the post in the last 24 hours, it seems highly likely.

His track record at the likes of Chelsea and Inter suggest that the 53-year-old will enjoy another successful stint in his next position, but Neville can see a familiar pattern continuing for him at Old Trafford in the coming years.

“I can’t see him staying too long at Man United, maybe two or three years, that seems to be his shelf life at a football club,” Neville told BBC Five Live’s Sportsweek.

“When Jose finishes at a club it tends to be a pattern where he falls out with a few players, he gets disgruntled and the team dips.

“It happened at Chelsea, it certainly happened at Real Madrid where there were rumours he fell out with a few players.

“It’s a pattern with Jose, he comes into a club, he gets success but he doesn’t stay for too long.”

Neville certainly has a point when it comes to Mourinho’s tenures in both the Spanish and English capitals, and it suggests that he will struggle to cement a long-lasting legacy at United should he be appointed.

Nevertheless, given United’s current situation and with their rivals making big moves this summer, the Red Devils are arguably being forced into a position in which they have to appoint a big name and top tactician regardless of whether or not it leads to stability in the long term.

With Pep Guardiola moving to Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp continuing his work at Liverpool along with Antonio Conte’s appointment at Chelsea, it promises to be a highly competitive season in the Premier League next year along with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester City.

While Mourinho will be expected to bring immediate success to the club, it remains to be seen whether or not he can buck the trend and enjoy several memorable years at the helm.

SEE MORE:
Investigation into missing piece of FA Cup
Video: The moment that Man United broke the FA Cup
Five things Mourinho would have learned from FA Cup final

More Stories Jose Mourinho Phil Neville