By MIKE McGRATH
ALEX FERGUSON insists Jose Mourinho can manage any club in the world — including Manchester United.
The Special One fancies another spell in England after Real Madrid and is keen on the Manchester City job next summer.
But Ferguson has opened up the possibility of the Portuguese coach succeeding him after he calls time on his stunning 26-year reign at Old Trafford.
Fergie, 70, said: “He can manage anywhere, absolutely.
“I’m not going to put any forecasts on what is going to happen at this club.
“I won’t last forever but Jose can manage anywhere.”
Mourinho, who has a contract at the Bernabeu until 2016, wants to lift the Champions League with an English club after being crowned a European champion with Porto and Inter Milan.
The Real chief said: “In my whole career everything was perfect. The only thing I didn’t — and I hope I can do it one day — is to win a Champions League with an English club.”
And Ferguson is backing the 49-year-old to add to his amazing 21-trophy haul in the last 10 years.
Speaking in an ITV documentary to mark Mourinho’s decade at the top, the Scot — who has captured 37 trophies at United — added: “That’s incredible, that. How old is he now? Fiftieth year. So he is 20 years behind me. At the same rate he is going to add another 42 trophies.
“I don’t think he will manage until he is 70, will he? In that case he would have 50-odd trophies. He’s a greedy bugger!” Mourinho earned Ferguson’s respect eight years ago when his Porto side knocked United out of the Champions League on their way to Euro glory.
The pair were then Premier League rivals for three years when Mourinho was appointed Chelsea boss in 2004, declaring himself The Special One on the first day.
Ferguson said: “I remember his first Press conference and I thought ‘Christ, he’s a cocky bugger’.
“He was telling the players, ‘Look, I’m the Special One, we don’t lose games’.
“But it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league.”
Ferguson also revealed they do not share a glass of wine after they face each other.
He added: “Definitely not. There is a real difference there. When he comes into my office he can take a joke against himself, that is what I like about him.
“I give him plenty of stick. And he laughs it off.”
