José Mourinho has made no secret of the fact that he would like to return to the Premier League – but Sir Alex Ferguson has told the Real Madrid coach he will have to wait if he has got his eyes on the Manchester United job.
Mourinho recently said he had "unfinished business" in England following his departure from Chelsea in 2007. After a hugely successful spell at Internazionale, the Portuguese is still in the first season of a three-year deal at Madrid and it seems he will at least have to see that out if he wants to take over at United. He has also been linked with Manchester City and even a return to Stamford Bridge.
"José is a great friend of mine," Ferguson said. "We have spoken many times about his future and I understand his wish to return to England because here a coach has more freedom than in Spain, without the constant following of the media and radio.
"But it's difficult for me to say when my position will be available. It will be my health that decides. I will continue until I no longer feel the energy that has always accompanied me.
"My father, who worked in the shipyards, retired at the age of 65 and one year later he was dead. The worst you can do is to say I have worked for 45 years and now I have a right to rest. You need to always remain active and in good form."
Ferguson will celebrate his 70th birthday later this year, by which time he will have spent 25 years at United. The Scot also told Gazzetta dello Sport he would step aside only if the club's hierarchy felt that he had gone on for too long.
"If I was told, 'Alex, you are too old, we have decided to turn the page', no problem," he said. "I have done my part here, with an absolutely fantastic career."
