Jose Mourinho has spoken of the ‘special honour’ to manage Manchester United after being confirmed as their new manager on a four-year contract with the option to cut ties after three years.
‘To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game,’ Mourinho said. ‘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.’
Mourinho also drew a line in the sand over the failed Moyes and van Gaal eras telling United fans to forget the last three years at Old Trafford.
Speaking to MUTV after signing his three-year-contract, Mourinho said he will give everything to restore the club to the top of world football and spoke of the affinity he has had with United supporters since he first took Porto to Old Trafford in 2004.
“I feel great. I am honoured, I am proud, I am everything. But I am here to work and I cannot wait until July 7 to go out on the pitch.
“I think it comes in the right moment in my career because Manchester United is one of these clubs that I call a giant club. You need to be prepared for it and they need the best managers. I think I am ready.
“We can look at our club in two perspectives. One is the past three years, and another is the club history. I prefer to forget the past three years and focus on the history, and the giant club that I have in my hands now.
“I will give absolutely everything to go in the direction we want. I think the fans are expecting me to say that I want to win, and the players need to listen that I want to win.
“I think the players and supporters want to feel that I say that, but we can, really – it’s not just to say.
“I think I know what the fans can give me. They know what I can give them. The most important thing is the players, and the relationship with the players and them.”
