Jose acolyte claims Arsenal approached him
Jose Mourinho’s biggest media fan Duncan Castles has claimed that Arsenal were one of several clubs to approach the sacked Chelsea manager before he was appointed by Manchester United.
Castles is – as ever – keen to promote the legend of Mourinho and his latest piece ‘reveals’ that Mourinho was very close to joining PSG as manager.
“Jose had one foot and a half in PSG. He almost went there,” says one ‘close friend’ quoted by Castles.
According to this latest report, Paris offered ‘an escape from an English media that has become increasingly intrusive from its front pages, while regularly haranguing him for his style of play, his touchline behaviour and an alleged failure to promote youth from its back pages. He would no longer have to deal with the English Football Association, nor its referees.’
In the end, the vagaries of the French taxation system apparently put paid to the potential move, allowing United to move for the man who has led them to League Cup triumph and sixth place.
By far the most interesting snippet in Castles’ piece is this one: ‘In the six months between his ugly December dismissal by Chelsea and his late May announcement as Manchester United manager, Mourinho fielded offers from or approaches on behalf of Real Madrid, AS Roma, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Everton and the Chinese Super League.’
We are just amazed that he has not claimed an approach from Chelsea.