Jose Mourinho will forget what has gone on for the last three disappointing seasons at Manchester United, he said in his first interview after being installed as manager on Friday.
Since Alex Ferguson retired after winning the Premier League in 2013 the club have finished seventh, fourth and fifth, securing their only silverware in that time by winning this season’s FA Cup.
That trophy was not enough to save Louis van Gaal who was dismissed this week following two years in charge.
“I think I prefer to forget the past three years,” Mourinho told the club’s TV channel. “I prefer to focus on the giant club I have in my hands now and I think what the fans are expecting me to say is that I want to win.”
The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager, sacked by the London club in December after his second spell there, believes he has the right experience to be successful at United.
“I think it comes in the right moment of my career because Man United is one of these clubs where you need really to be prepared for it,” said the charismatic Portuguese.
“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 feel great.
“I want to win,” added Mourinho. “I need the supporters and players to feel that. (The fans) know what they can give me and what I can give them.
“I’ve played so many times at Old Trafford and the feeling was empathy. I remember when I won at Old Trafford with Real Madrid and I said the best team lost, not many people at Real Madrid were very happy with that.”
Mourinho did not offer any hints about whether Ryan Giggs, who worked as Van Gaal’s assistant, would be staying.
There was also no mention of possible transfer targets like Sweden and Paris St Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mourinho has been given a three-year contract, which British media estimated being worth between 30 million and 45 million pounds ($43.99-$65.98 million).
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