It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Jose Mourinho in full, unfiltered mode — but now, he’s broken his silence, and he has a lot to say about Manchester United.
In a candid sit-down with Portuguese TV channel Canal 11, the 62-year-old didn’t shy away from voicing his frustrations about the direction of the club he once managed — and he had a few sharp words for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, too.
Reflecting on United’s Decline After David Gill’s Exit
Mourinho, now managing Turkish side Fenerbahce, was at the helm at Old Trafford from 2016 to 2018.
During his time there, he won the Europa League and delivered United’s best Premier League finish post-Ferguson — second place.
But according to him, the club’s issues run deeper than just coaching.
He pointed to a major turning point in United’s downfall: the departure of both Sir Alex Ferguson and former CEO David Gill back in 2013.
“People talk a lot about Sir Alex leaving, but David Gill’s exit was just as significant,” Mourinho said.
“The club changed after that — and not in a good way.”
Hinting at Hidden Truths in His Netflix Documentary
Mourinho teased that his upcoming Netflix documentary will reveal even more behind-the-scenes truths from his time at Old Trafford.
“David Moyes came in after Sir Alex, and when my documentary drops, people will understand what really went on,” he hinted.
“By the time I arrived, the club was still reeling from that transition.”
Despite winning trophies, Mourinho said he never felt the club offered him the kind of long-term support or structure he needed to truly thrive.
Financial Fair Play and That Controversial League Finish
Jose also made a bold claim — one that fans have debated for years.
He believes Manchester United should have won the league the season Manchester City were penalized under Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
“I still don’t get it,” he said. “Clubs are hit with financial punishments, but they continue as if nothing happened.
It should be points — real consequences. If that had been the case, we’d have won the Premier League.”
Taking Aim at Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Football Credentials
Mourinho didn’t mince words when talking about the club’s new leadership.
He questioned whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe, despite his success in other areas of sport, truly understands football at the highest level.
“There’s a difference between knowing sport and knowing football,” Mourinho said.
“This new ownership still has a lot to learn about what it takes to run a football club like Manchester United.”
Weighing in on Ruben Amorim’s Tough Start
The conversation eventually shifted to Ruben Amorim — Mourinho’s Portuguese compatriot and United’s current manager.
Mourinho recalled how he welcomed Amorim to United’s Carrington training base back in 2018 during his early coaching days.
But things haven’t exactly gone smoothly for Amorim since taking over midway through last season.
Despite arriving from Sporting CP with high expectations, he endured a nightmare debut campaign.
United’s Worst-Ever Finish Under Amorim
United slumped to 15th place — their lowest-ever Premier League finish — and to make matters worse, they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham in May.
That result means no European football next season, and the pressure is well and truly on.
Still, Amorim is fighting to turn things around.
He’s brought in Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves and snapped up Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford to breathe new life into United’s attack.
Mourinho Urges Patience but Points to Deeper Issues
Despite the disastrous season, Mourinho praised United for giving Amorim the time and space to grow.
“For Ruben to survive that kind of season and still have the board’s backing — that says something,” he noted.
“It also shows how far the standards have slipped.”
But he didn’t leave it there. “We all know Ruben has personality and talent,” Mourinho said.
“He has the potential to become a great manager. But if the structure around him doesn’t change, it’s going to be an uphill battle.”
What Comes Next for United?
As United fans try to make sense of the club’s current state, Mourinho’s comments are sure to spark debate — both for what he said and what he implied is still to come in that documentary.
If one thing’s clear, it’s that Mourinho hasn’t let go of his Old Trafford experience — and he’s not done talking about it just yet.