YOU’RE THE SPECIAL ONES
Jose says England’s team spirit can help them lift the trophy
JOSE MOURINHO has backed England to win the World Cup.
The Manchester United boss rates the Three Lions as “really strong”, with enough pedigree to spring a major surprise in Russia.
It is the ultimate vote of
confidence from the Special One for Gareth Southgate’s World Cup campaign. Mourinho said: “England have a good group of young but experienced players. All of them play in the best domestic competition in the world in the Premier League.
“All of them playing in the best teams. All of them having experience of playing in the Champions League. So yes, I think they can do it.”
He accepted Spain, France, Germany and Brazil were obvious favourites but added: “They have good squads but good squads do not always make good teams.
“Sometimes not so special squads, in theory, can make better teams. For example, Portugal in the Euros had far from the best squad but did it.”
He hailed England’s United midfielder Jesse Lingard (above) as a joker who can lift the squad.
Mourinho, a former PE teacher who was visiting a school in his role as a Jaguar ambassador, said: “He’s a naughty but funny guy – the funny one that doesn’t disturb the class, the funny one the teacher isn’t upset with.
“He makes everyone in the class laugh and creates a good atmosphere.”