Mourinho eyes OT hot-seat again

Not for the first time Jose Mourinho has spoken of his desire to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson and manage Manchester United.

The Special One is currently in charge of Inter Milan and guided the Serie A club to last season's Scudetto but he doesn't appear to be too settled in Italy and has on more than one occasion spoken about returning to the Premier League.

Mourinho was a huge hit in his time with Chelsea and like Fergie is widely regarded as one of the best 'man managers' in the game.

It's an asset which the United board will place highly on their list of 'desired qualities' when the time comes for Sir Alex to call it a day and looking at Betfair's market, which has been running for almost eternity, Mourinho could be the man to support at football odds of 4.8.

"I would consider going to Manchester United but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson," Mourinho told the Daily Mirror. "If they do, then of course.

"I like England, where the fans are very passionate and make the game a beautiful occasion with such an incredible atmosphere."

Despite Ferguson's unwavering health, at 67 he cannot go on forever and it may well be his mental attitude which gives way after almost 23 years in the Old Trafford hot-seat.

It's been a tough old summer for Fergie with Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez leaving and his pursuit of Karim Benzema ending in failure.

It's not often Sir Alex does not get his own way and there have been one or two signs of descent with Fergie slamming the 'small club' across the city and a war of words with Tevez.

Still United chief executive David Gill will be hoping he has a few more years to go before he starts to think about drawing up a short-list to replace Ferguson.

However if Mourinho, who no doubt has the mental toughness to manage at Old Trafford, can this season end Inter's 54-year European Cup drought then it could be a good football bet that Gill's mind might be made up.