JOSE MOURINHO had claimed he’s still holding out hope that he will win the Premier League with Manchester Utd – nearly six years after being sacked by them.
The now Fenerbahce boss faces his old club on Thursday in the Europa League.
Mourinho, 61, spent two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and helped the Red Devils win the Europa League and the League Cup during his tenure before he was axed in 2018.
However, the Special One is claiming that he might still be able to add a Premier League title to that tally amid Man City’s battle against their 115 charges.
Mourinho has claimed that he is still hoping that his side’s second place finish behind City in the 2017/18 season will be turned into a league title if the Etihad outfit are stripped of their achievements as a result of their ongoing court case.
And the Portuguese manager is also hoping it might earn him a pretty penny too.
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Speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash, he said: “As you know, we won the Europa League and finished second in the Premier League.
“I think we still have a chance to win that league, because maybe they punish Man City with points and maybe we win that league.
“Then they have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal.”
Mourinho was sacked after United failed to live up to the standards they’d set with their second place finish the season before.
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United have only finished second in the league once in the six years that have followed Mourinho’s departure.
And when asked if he thinks that the Red Devils have improved since he was axed, the Fenerbahce manager gave an uncharacteristically diplomatic answer.
He said: “I wish the best to Man Utd since the moment I left.
“I left with a good feeling to the club and a good feeling to the fans and I want the best for them.
“So if things are not going amazingly well for them it’s not something that makes me happy.
“But at the same time, I have no time and it doesn’t make sense for me to be thinking about what happened or didn’t happen.”
Mourinho also added that United have “kept faith” in Erik ten Hag, claiming that the Dutchman is having different treatment to him at the Theatre of Dreams.
Ten Hag remains under pressure at United after a poor start to the season has seen his side lose three of their opening eight Premier League clashes.
While they are yet to win a European game this season either, with Thursday’s tie against Fenerbahce another tough test for Ten Hag’s men.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
