Sir Alex: Jose May Replace Me

Sir Alex Ferguson says Jose Mourinho is capable of replacing him at Manchester United.

Ferguson stopped short of saying Mourinho should replace him when he finally retires, but he believes the Portuguese has the qualities that would be needed to take over the Old Trafford hotseat.

Ferguson told ITV4: "He can manage anywhere, absolutely. I'm not going to put any forecasts on what is going to happen at this club. I won't last forever, but Jose can manage anywhere, there is no question about that."

Mourinho had little success as a player but as a coach he has already won 21 trophies from 10 years in the dugout.

"I would never think a guy who hasn't played a game could be a top coach, but then you've got to look at his personality, I think his personality does it," Ferguson added.

"He's got a marvellous, strong personality and I think that bridges that gap.

"That's incredible (his trophy haul). How old is he now? Fiftieth year. So he is 20 years behind me. At the same rate he is going to add another 42 trophies. At the current rate, (that is) amazing isn't it?"

When he arrived at Chelsea Mourinho caused a media storm when he referred to himself as a 'Special One', a nickname which has stuck with him.

"I remember his first press conference (at Chelsea) and I thought 'he's cocky, him'," Ferguson said.

"He was telling the players, 'Look, I'm the Special One, we don't lose games'...coming to England, he is only a young man and saying he is the Special One!

"But what it did, it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league."