Mourinho says he's in race for Man U manager's post

Harare (Zimbabwe), Mar. 8 (ANI): Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes he will become the next manager of Manchester United.

"If you want me to rule out ever being Manchester United manager I can't. Special clubs need special managers. So, in theory, it could work, but nobody knows what the future is in football," he said.

Mourinho rates himself as "one of the best managers in the world," and took a potshot at current Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Fergie's had it easy since I left Blues," he said.

He reckons United won't be able to ignore his credentials when they begin their search for Fergie's successor.

"I have big jobs left in me that is for sure - but I can't commit to which ones. The England national team wanted me as coach and that is the biggest job in England, so, I am sure when Sir Alex retires, they will look at the best managers in the world and I certainly fall into that category," Mourinho said.

"How much time, I can't say, Sir Alex doesn't look like he is ready to stop. But when you are managing a winning team, you don't want to stop - and if you have health, then there is no reason to," he added.

Mourinho's great expectation to become United manager has generated mixed reactions.

Rio Ferdinand has nominated the Portuguese as the best candidate to take over from Fergie, while United legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson believe his brand of football would not be to everyone's taste.

However, Sir Alex is showing no sign of stepping down from his role as United boss. The 67-year-old claims that his health is good enough to enable him to continue in the job, despite previous suggestions that he would quit in May 2010.

"You might have to carry me out. I'm not even thinking about retiring," Fergie said. (ANI)