Sheringham: Mourinho the perfect replacement for Ferguson

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham believes Jose Mourinho can be the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Mourinho’s Real Madrid are currently top of La Liga, but the Portuguese manager has been unsettled by the club’s internal issues and may be looking for a way out at the end of the season, with England his desired destination.

“I think that Mourinho would be ideal for United. It is going to be one of the best jobs in football when Sir Alex retires – but also one of the most difficult,” Sheringham told The Sunday Mirror.

“It will be intimidating to follow a man who has achieved so much. Mourinho is one of the few people who could ¬handle it. There is no doubt in my mind about that.”

The former Tottenham striker also believes the ex-Chelsea boss could be lured to the managerial position at White Hart Lane if Harry Redknapp is given the England job. Mourinho is said to be looking to move back to London, where he enjoyed success with Chelsea.

“He loves London – he has said that many times. And there is no question that in the last few years, Tottenham have made tremendous strides under Harry Redknapp,” Sheringham said.

“It will be a great job for someone – maybe ¬Mourinho. But United are ¬different. Mourinho says he is the Special One and he has proved that no matter where he has been.”

“He is a proven winner. And it will need a special ¬individual to take over at Old ¬Trafford when that job eventually comes up. He could handle it, I am sure of that.”

Sheringham knows all about replacing a club legend as he was brought in as a straight replacement for Eric Cantona when the enigmatic Frenchman retired. The striker was one of the goal-scoring heroes as United scored two in two minutes in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

The 45-year-old said: “United is a huge club. Certainly one of the biggest, if not the ¬biggest in the world. It is certainly up there with Barcelona and Real Madrid.”

“I went all over the world in football and ¬everywhere there was a ¬fanatical ¬following of ¬Manchester United fans.”

“You go to China and ¬anywhere else in Asia and they are crazy for ¬United. That is what the new man will ¬inherit.”

“It is daunting. Especially after the success that Sir Alex has brought to the club. But that would not bother Mourinho. He will take it in his stride.”

“I understand that he and Sir Alex get on well so, you never know, he might have been given the nod about it.”

“For me, he would be the one to take over if he is given the chance.”