The two appointments have been talked about for some time now and, naturally, attention is turning to when the two will meet in their first Manchester derby.
Advertisement
“I’m not saying it’s guaranteed success because it’s a tough league next year with all the top managers flooding to the Premier League”.
Mourinho opened up on his relationship with Guardiola for the first time since being appointed United manager, whilst giving a lecture in Lisbon.
Guardiola, 45, arrives at City fresh from the Bundesliga where he won the league in each of his three years as coach of Bayern.
“For two years I was with Pep in a league where the champion was either him or me”, said 53-year-old Mourinho.
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera said he was grateful to former manager Louis van Gaal despite his sacking by the club.
Real Madrid’s coach Jose Mourinho (R) reacts in front of Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola during their Spanish King’s Cup quarter-final second leg “El Clasico” soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, January 25, 2012.
But while the midfielder was happy to have worked under Van Gaal, he was looking forward to the challenge of impressing Mourinho as he adds to his impressive list of coaches. “If, in the English Premier League, I focus on him at Manchester City and he on me at Manchester United, another team will win the title”.
However, he ruled out signing any player from his home country, saying: “No, I will definitely not take anyone (from Portugal) to Old Trafford”.
Mourinho tried to sign Rooney for Chelsea twice during his time as boss, and should finally get the chance to work with the captain next month.
He has been linked with a variety of players, including compatriots Joao Mario and Andre Gomes.
However, the emergence of Manchester United on the transfer market could prove problematic as, unlike Chelsea, the Red Devils can offer European football next season, although they will be absent from the Champions League once again.
“To be able to learn alongside one of the greatest defenders this club has had about both of those qualities was brilliant for me”.
Advertisement
According to Herrera, the players were aware of the speculation surrounding Van Gaal in his final months on the job, as they finished fifth following a hard campaign, but Herrera has praised the way his former manager conducted himself.
