Soccer: Mourinho says long-term tenure at Man United unclear
LISBON, PORTUGAL— Jose Mourinho believes the days of a coach lasting “15 to 20 years in the same club” are over, making it unlikely he will end his managerial career at Manchester United.
Speaking ahead of United’s Champions League match against Benfica on Wednesday, the 54-year-old Mourinho said he plans to stay in soccer management for “15 years minimum.”
“It is impossible to last for so long (at one club),” Mourinho said. “If, in this moment, I wanted to finish my career in two, three, four or five years then I would say yes, I want to finish my career with Manchester United.”
The Portuguese coach was responding to comments he made about his future at United in an interview conducted with French television that aired on Sunday. In that interview, he also spoke in glowing terms about Paris Saint-Germain and the French club’s bid to shake up the established order in Europe with their recent recruitment.
OUT IN ITALY: Cagliari’s Massimo Rastelli has become the first coach fired in Serie A this season.
The move comes two days after a 3-2 home loss to previously winless Genoa left Cagliari in 14th place with six points. It was the Sardinian club’s sixth loss in eight matches, fourth straight defeat and third consecutive at home.
THE FRAUD FILE: Spanish prosecutors have accused Real Madrid left back Marcelo of defrauding local tax authorities of nearly half a million euros.
Prosecutors say the Brazil international defrauded authorities of 490,917.70 euros ($579,348) in 2013. They say the irregularities are related to Marcelo’s use of companies abroad to handle earnings from image rights.
Marcelo, who has been in playing for Real Madrid since moving from Brazilian club Fluminense in 2007, is the latest player to be targeted by tax authorities in Spain.
Last year, Lionel Messi and his father were found guilty on three counts of defrauding tax authorities of 4.1 million euros ($4.6 million) from income made from image rights. Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, and Fabio Coentrao are among other players investigated by Spanish authorities.