Jose Mourinho has been appointed the new manager of Manchester United, but the official statement he has released to coincide with his contract signing may stand to anger some Chelsea fans.
Mourinho, who guided Chelsea to three Premier League trophies during his two separate tenures with the club, said of his new career with Manchester United: “To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.
“I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.”
Though the 53-year-old’s fondness for United, or at least the club’s former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, is well-noted, ardent Chelsea fans will perhaps be a little disheartened by Mourinho suggesting that Chelsea is a lesser club, even though it’s difficult to argue with the club’s higher level of prominence in English football when compared with Mourinho’s former Premier League home.
Following the announcement of his new career, Mourinho set up an Instagram account, with his first post featuring his Manchester United contract:
Image Credit: Instagram / Jose Mourinho
Speaking of Manchester United’s acquisition of the manager, the club’s executive vice-chairman said: “Jose is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward.”
Mourinho will make his debut at Old Trafford on June 5th, with him taking charge of an England XI team against a Rest of the World XI squad for a Unicef charity game. He will make his official match debut for Manchester United after the pre-season begins on July 4th.
Image Credit: Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
[Via ManUtd.com]
