The former Red Devils manager offered his thoughts following his exit from the Theatre of Dreams after a tumultuous campaign
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told reporters that he and the club will survive without the other after his dismissal, a day after he was booted from the hotseat at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese led the Red Devils to Europa League and domestic success during his tenure at the helm, but a poor run of form across the first half of the 2018-19 campaign has seen him pay the price.
Former United forward Ole Gunner Solskjaer has taken charge on an interim basis until the end of the season.
And, while much of the football world has been discussing United's decision and what the future might hold for Mourinho, the departed manager was relatively tight-lipped on his tenure and plans as he appeared publicly for the first time since the news broke.
Trailed by members of the media as he left his house in London, Mourinho responded to queries from Sky Sports saying that both himself and the club have futures without the other.
"I think you know me, I don't change," the 55-year-old said. "What I did when I left Chelsea for example is that same that I'm going to do now.
"I keep the good things and I don't speak about anything that happened in the club. I could speak about not as good but that's not me.
"Manchester United has a future without me and I have a future without Manchester United.
"It's over, that's me and that's how I've always been. I was always very critical of managers that leave clubs and then they come out and they speak about the details of what happened, who is to blame. That's not me.
"Until I get back to football I feel I have to right to live my normal life."
Then the Portuguese releases a statement as follows:
"I have been immensely proud to wear the badge of Manchester United since the first day I arrived, and I believe all United fans recognise this.
"Just as was the case with my previous clubs, I have worked with some wonderful people and I believe that some will be my friends for life.
"I know that you are all aware of my professional principles. Each time a chapter is closed I show my deepest respect and I don't make any comments about my former colleagues.
"I hope the media will respect my position and let me live my normal life until the moment I decide to return to football. Merry Christmas."
Originally arriving at Old Trafford in 2016 to replace Louis van Gaal, Mourinho endured a tough domestic campaign in the Premier League during his first season in charge, but brought the club silverware in both the Europa League and the League Cup.
He then took United to second in the Premier League during the 2017-18 campaign, ensuring Champions League football for the second season in a row at Old Trafford, and had only secured progression to the last 16 last month.
But his strained relationship with key signings at the club, namely Paul Pogba, saw rumours of a split between him and the squad, and a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday effectively ended any title ambitions for the third season in a row.
Despite his glittering career across the rest of Europe, the 55-year-old was unable to convert his time in his coveted position at the Red Devils into the success he attained elsewhere at the likes of Porto, Premier League rivals Chelsea and Serie A side Inter.
With United sixth in the table at the end of Mourinho's tenure, Solskjaer's reign will begin with a trip to the Norwegian's former club Cardiff City on Saturday.
Viswajiithmessi
262
and yet they sacked him
gamemasterutd
175
Everyone saying that Mourinho has failed at United are delusional. 2 Major trophies , 2nd in PL, getting united back in champions league is by far an unsuccessful campaign. If mou is a failure then i wonder what are Klopp and Poch are from last 4 years. Mou has been excellent at united except the last season where he failed because of incapable players like Pogba and incompetence board where woodword sits. Mou is a top manager who will come back and win trophies with more competent team and board(like madrid).
wuccelnptz
113
SORRY ITS POGBA'S FAULT HAHAHA
baailmry
91
Positioned 6th on the log, not much faith in the Special One,but that so called proffessionals of Man U left much to be desired.Its not tactics even with the ball they cannot attack.All the blame to Mourinho but what about the players ,all of them are seasoned proffessionals.Man U players is a joke.
hosiprs
79
The English media didn't want Mourinho over ManU. Taking that job from RT during the world exercebated their hate for him in charge of a big English team. ManU is 6 place and going up, still in the UCL, and still people wanted the manager fired. Pogba might think he has power, but he doesn't, he didn't change games as everyone expected he would.
Teuekmo
74
This sacking is more sentimental than results based. If Mourinho was a former player at United or had any link with Fergie, he would have stayed longer. His sack was inevitable, they needed him to deliver trophies and he did it. The drama is what they can't stand and I'm sure they were fully aware of that before hiring him in the first place.
mannie4fur
69
mou managed big players who understood what football and profession means,likes of great Drogba,Lampard,Terry,essien etc and he did great and won trophies even amidst rift with club board...now with manU they say he lacks man management,is it not obvious that manU players are the problem cos they are too childish,kids who shy away from truth.legends of footballer were never bigger than the teams the played or place themselves ahead of the team now United board cowardly chose a player over coach which is a big slap to united legends and pedigree,now imagine these calibre of players...pogba,bailey,shaw,lingard,martial then think bout their commitment and loyalty and think of a club like Manchester United tell me if they fit in the tradition of the club,those are players who should be playing for teams like Cardiff looking to play their way to more bigger teams like Everton's,Hotspur,etc u cant expect players who earn big but care most bout fashion,events outside pitch to perform,beckham become spot and fashion icon after a very successful football career,cr7 became fashion and brand icon after several world best and balon d'or etc just name it,Gaucho the greatest never deviate from the pitch excitement till he left the scene and that's why hes majority's favourite,United board should have a rethinkclubs reputation.
Edwan152
61
JM is the great and brilliant coach for me... even he left in bad ending story but we appreciated what he did to United Won 3 trophies it wasn't easy to get what we wanted... but some of players can see they re not happy and feel like they re good because of life in stylish than play football... high salary but big perform in March just useless... good luck JM we never ever forget you if era in 90's SAF's players or his team probably JM will get what' SAF did....
letcinsu
60
Those hailing Jose for his tenure at ManUtd no doubt are enemies of the club. When a manager has stubbornly refused to change his tactics when it is glaring even to the blind such tactics aren't working again. A manager that clashes with almost every member of his squad and criticise your employer openly just like he did at Chelsea and Real Madrid. How come exciting players he requested for and were bought for him have suddenly become below average players under his stewardship. Jose is a great coach no doubt about it but the fact is he lacks man management. If in doubt, check his tussle his Chelsea physio and some senior players. Also , we shd not forget he polarized Real Madrid between Portuguese players lead by Ronaldo and Spanish players lead Iker Casilas
Samyzy
55
I respect this man so much, I don't know why but I just do. He is phenomenal, he had been outstanding in England, Spain and Italy. He might have a little bit of ego and doesn't know how to carry his players along but yet he his one of the most decorated manager, people claim Klopp and Sarri are the best at carrying players and encouraging them yet Sarri is trophy less and klopp had 0 trophies with Liverpool.....
Sepaclpz
32
it was about time man u moved on without mourinho. Whatever people say doesn't matter cos this is man utd...football is not all about trophies. What do the fans get to enjoy when trophies are won with negative football. People just don't get it that mourinho has been on the decline since 2010. He won the champions league with that same approach but be informed that just as culture is dynamic so is football. Lads football has changed. It is a lot more faster now and athletic. Mourinho needs time to learn the new tide. Whoever still thinks that he's the best around can kindly go for him. United we are. Glory glory man utd
am_fresh
10
and yet they sacked him
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I don't think he is a failure at Manchester United