Jose Mourinho’s future was clarified by his agent Jorge Mendes on Friday and the Manchester United manager finally spoke about it before the Valencia Champions League tie. Mourinho attended his press conference at the Mestalla. Jose Mourinho claims he knew nothing about the statement his agent Jorge Mendes published on Friday clarifying the Manchester United manager’s future. A report on Friday morning claimed United were prepared to pay Tottenham £40million in compensation to hire Mauricio Pochettino as Mourinho’s replacement next summer and Mourinho has been regularly linked with a return to Real Madrid by the Spanish media.
Mourinho signed an improved United contract in January until 2020, with the option of an additional year that rests with the club. However, United failed to sufficiently back the Portuguese in the summer and United ended the transfer window without two of Mourinho’s priority targets. Amid the Pochettino rumours, Mendes released a rare statement that read: “There have been more rumours of Jose Mourinho leaving Manchester United. It’s totally untrue. Jose is very happy at the club and the club is very happy with him. He has a long-term contract with Manchester United and is fully committed to the club in building a solid winning project.”
Mourinho was asked about the statement at his press conference ahead of the final Champions League group game at Valencia. “Which statement?” Mourinho asked. “No. I’ve nothing to do with the statement, is just [a] statement, is not my statement. No, I didn’t know at all and I don’t care about it.” When asked about his relationship with the Valencia owner Peter Lim, Mourinho stressed how much he cares and is committed to United as speculation continues to swirl about his future. “I don’t speak with Peter about Valencia and his club,” Mourinho added. “But sometimes there is a perception, not in Valencia, all over the world, that the fans care more about the club than the professionals, and that is totally wrong, is totally wrong.
“Nobody in Manchester or connected with Manchester cares more about the club than myself. And three years ago I was not in Manchester and was far from being connected with Manchester. We the professionals feel everything, every day, every second, so Peter Lim, [Valencia coach] Marcelino, all of them, are the ones really living the moment every second. “And honestly, knowing Peter as a very calm man, a very wise man, knowing Marcelino as the very good coach he is – and everybody knows he is and he is proving that in Spain for so many years – I think they will improve their situation.”
