Former Manchester United winger Nani has refused to rule out the possibility that a “charismatic” and “spectacular person” could land in a dream role in football.
Nani called it time on his career in 2024 after a brief spell with Portuguese outfit Estrela da Amadora, having previously played for Turkish side Adana Demirspor.
The 38-year-old former Manchester United winger is a beloved figure among United fans at Old Trafford after his spell in England with the Premier League club.
Nani would often impress with his showboating and flair on the ball, including the former Portugal star’s moments of pure magic in a United shirt.
However, the United cult hero would also frustrate Red Devils supporters at times with his lack of consistency during his playing spell at Old Trafford.
Nani arrived at the Premier League club in 2007 from Sporting CP under Sir Alex Ferguson and he enjoyed major silverware success with United before his exit.
The ex-United star lifted four Premier League titles, a Champions League and two League Cups with the club before his second spell with Sporting CP in 2014.
Former Man Utd and Portugal winger Nani drops a clear-cut verdict on Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has been with current side Fenerbahce since 2024 after the former Manchester United manager was sacked from his role at Serie A side Roma.
The ‘Special One’ led the Turkish side to second place in the Super Lig in the 2024-25 season, with arch-rivals Galatasaray clinching the league title last season.
Jose Mourinho, who lifted the Europa League and the League Cup during his reign at United, has been linked with the Portugal managerial role in the past.
Nani crossed paths with former Real Madrid boss Mourinho in his career and he admitted that he could see the ‘Special One’ as Portugal manager “one day.”
When asked about Mourinho being the ‘right fit’ for Portugal, he told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo: “I think it will happen one day and it would be fair given everything he has done for Portuguese football.
“I only worked with him for a short time, but I liked his humility and character. He is charismatic and a spectacular person.
“Sometimes he can seem serious and arrogant and people outside want us to always be nice. But in this sport, we don’t get anywhere if we are nice.”
Former Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho broke his silence after being linked with the Portugal role while he is at Fenerbahce
Jose Mourinho had been rumoured to leave Fenerbahce at the end of last season and was tipped as a replacement for Roberto Martinez for the Portugal national team.
The former Inter Milan and Chelsea head coach shut down the speculation in May that he could take over with his country’s national team after the Nations League.
“Yes, I can deny that I had any meeting with the Portuguese Football Federation,” he said at the time, as per ESPN.
“I am a loyal person. The only time I had direct contact with a club I informed Fenerbahce.
“It wasn’t now, it was in January. I had a meeting with the [unnamed] club. I didn’t accept the offer. But I informed my club even before the meeting.”
Roberto Martinez, who became the Portugal manager in 2023, led his side to the Nations League title in June after a penalty shootout win over Euro 2024 champions Spain.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/LgtNlHJ