Jose Mourinho's first interview as Manchester United manager - Full Transcript

Jose Mourinho was officially confirmed today as Manchester United manager, with the Portuguese tactician finally putting rumours to bed by signing a three-year contract with the Red Devils, thus replacing Louis van Gaal who was sacked a few days before. Following the appointment, Mourinho sat down with Manchester United club channel, MUTV, and answered a variety of questions on occupying the Old Trafford hot seat.

Here is the full transcript of the interview:

MUTV: How do you feel?

Jose Mourinho: I feel great. I think I am in the right moment of my career because Manchester United is one of these clubs where you need really to be prepared for it because it is what I used to a call ‘giant club’.

‘Giant clubs’ must be for the best managers and I think I am ready for it, so I could say I am happy, I am proud, I am honoured, I am everything. The reality is that what I love is to work and I cannot wait for the 7th of July to go on the pitch.

MUTV: What are your ambitions?

Jose Mourinho: I think we can look at our club now in two perspectives. One perspective is the past three years and another perspective is the club history.

I think I prefer to forget the past three years, I prefer to focus on the giant club I have in my hands now. I think what the fans are expecting me to say is that I want to win. I think what the players need to listen [to] is I want to win.

And more than that, I need the players and supporters to feel that I say that, but I think we can really. It’s not just to say what I say. So, yes, I want to focus on the history of this giant club and give what I have and what I don’t have, so I will give absolutely everything to try and go in the direction we all want.

MUTV: What is your message to the United fans?

Jose Mourinho: You know, I think I know what they can give me. I think also they know what I can give them. Obviously, the most important thing are the players and the relation of the players is the bridge with them, but I think it is very important and curious that I have played so many times against Man United and I played so many times at Old Trafford with other clubs.

There was empathy, no problems and, in fact, I was pushed by that feeling to say sometimes things that my clubs were not happy with. I remember, for example, when I won at Old Trafford with Real Madrid, I told that the best team lost. Not many people were happy at Real Madrid.