JOSE’S EXTRA TIME
Incredible 12-minute tirade of defiance
JOSE MOURINHO launched into an extraordinary defence of his work at Manchester United yesterday and vowed that he will not walk away from the challenge.
In answering just one question about United’s Champions League defeat against Sevilla, a defiant Mourinho gave an impassioned response lasting more than 12 minutes as he quoted statistics from a notebook in scenes reminiscent of Rafael Benitez’s infamous ‘fact’ rant in 2009.
Sportsmail can reveal that Mourinho met executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and managing director Richard Arnold at United’s Carrington training complex on Thursday morning.
Yesterday, the Portuguese coach insisted he has the full backing of his employers and vowed not to change his style in the face of renewed criticism of United’s performances.
‘I’m not going to run away or disappear or cry because I heard a few boos,’ said Mourinho. ‘I’m not going to disappear from the tunnel. The next match, I will be the first to go out. I am not afraid of my responsibilities.
‘When I was 20, I was nobody in football. I was somebody’s son with a lot of
pride. Now, at 55, I am what I am. I did what I did because of work and because of talent and my mentality.
‘I could be in another country with the league in my pocket. But I am here and I am going to be here — and no way am I going to change my mentality.
‘I don’t know if you know the expression, but there is a code that I like: every wall is a door.
‘The good thing, and the amazing feeling, for me is that I am exactly on the same page as the owners, as Mr Woodward and Mr Arnold. We agree on everything. So life is good. I have an amazing job to do.’
Mourinho had opened his press conference for tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton at Old Trafford in genial mood. ‘I’m alive, I’m here,’ he smiled.
However, when questioned about the mood of fans after losing 2-1 at home to Sevilla on Wednesday, the 55-year- old’s voice rose with emotion as he defended himself and claimed that the job he took on is a lot tougher than people understand.
Mourinho came prepared and read out a season-by- season record of United’s poor performances in the Champions League and Premier League over recent years. The message was clear: the club and their fans can no longer take success for granted. He added: ‘What a manager inherits is something like the last time Manchester United won the Champions League — which didn’t happen a lot of times — was in 2008.
‘Many of the fans I speak to know what football heritage is and what the process was when I arrived. In seven years with four different managers, once not qualifying for Europe, twice out in the group phase, and the best was the quarterfinal. If you want to go to the Premier League, the last (title) victory was 2012-13. In the four consecutive seasons, Manchester United finished fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. This is football heritage.’
Mourinho also believes he is the victim of jealousy among his critics. He said: ‘I understand that for many years it was really hard for the people who don’t like me. “Here he is again, here he wins again”. For 10 months I win nothing. The last title that I won was 10 months ago ( the Europa League).
‘I beat Liverpool, Chelsea, I lose against Sevilla and now is their moment to be happy. I also learned that in my religious formation be happy