Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho to eventually succeed him. The Mail on Sunday says senior figures at Old Trafford are concerned Mourinho will tarnish the club's reputation, and his cause was not helped earlier this month when he allegedly poked Barcelona's assistant manager Tito Vilanova in the eye following a recent Real Madrid defeat at the Nou Camp.
But Ferguson, who has grown increasingly close to Mourinho since the Portuguese left England in 2007, still believes he is the right man for the job with the required experience, work ethic and personality - and will tell the United board when he is consulted.
A source who knows both managers said: "Alex and Jose are close - Alex will do what he can to get him the United job. Jose has had many problems at Real Madrid but Alex understands that is largely to do with his nationality.
"Jose is proud of his country but Spanish people look down on the Portuguese and don't like to take orders from them.
"It is different in England - when Jose left, it was massive news and the Chelsea players felt it was like a bereavement."
