There was a mutual respect between Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, despite the latter’s best attempts to rub everyone up the wrong way with his constant press manipulation and ideas above his station. The Man United manager found his Chelsea counterpart amusing and put up with him over a bottle of red wine.
However, the Scot is likely to be far from enamoured at the news that Luiz Felipe Scolari has agreed to be next manager at Stamford Bridge, with the pair having several run-ins in the past, particularly over Cristiano Ronaldo. The Times reports that Fergie may have choked on his cornflakes upon hearing of Big Phil’s appointment, although there are sure to be some fireworks next season as a result.
Scolari and Sir Alex Ferguson do not get on, the legacy of a climate of distrust in club-versus-country disputes over the past five years; Scolari and Carlos Queiroz, the United assistant manager, despise each other; Scolari has publicly and privately advised Ronaldo to take the “opportunity of a lifetime” (one that will, incidentally, arise every year until he takes it) and join Real Madrid; Scolari endorsed and facilitated Ronaldo’s announcement last week about his plan to move to Madrid.
So erm, they don’t like each other then. If Ronaldo does stay at Old Trafford, this appointment could be seen as a blessing in disguise, with Fergie able to forge better relations with the new Portugal manager, especially if he happens to be none other than Carlos Queiroz, who is reported to be the number one target for the national team.