Harry: Jose special enough for United

Published Apr. 15, 2011 10:54 a.m. ET

foxsports

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is confident Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is a future Manchester United manager.

Mourinho has divided opinion since arriving on English shores with Chelsea in 2004, fresh from winning the Champions League with Porto.

Despite going on to coach Inter Milan and Real, Mourinho has spoken of his desire to return to club management in England.

But Redknapp believes the Portuguese will have to bide his time with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson giving no sign he is set to retire any time soon.

"Of those (managers) I have faced this campaign there is one who stands head and shoulders above the others - Jose Mourinho," Redknapp told The Sun. "Some are calling the Real Madrid boss the Marmite manager - you either love him or hate him.

"I am one of those who has nothing but admiration for the former Chelsea chief, who I think will end up managing Manchester United one day in the very distant future when Alex Ferguson calls time.

"But every time I see Alex he looks younger than the last occasion I bumped into him. He is showing no signs of wear and tear. His enthusiasm is limitless. He wants to carry on - so Jose could have a very long wait."

Ferguson was appointed in 1986 and has led United to the most successful spell in the club's history.

It would take a big character to succeed the 69-year-old Scot when he is ready to step down - not only due to his trophy-laden reign at Old Trafford but because of the stature of United and its players.

But Redknapp reckons Mourinho is one of the few men with the ego and the self-belief to take on such a challenge.

"Sure, Jose is arrogant but what is wrong with that?" he added. "After our game on Wednesday night, Mourinho said that the Premier League is his natural habitat and I'd have to agree.

"Jose is switched on to the demands of the modern game and tuned in to his mega-star, world-class players who give him the utmost respect because they know he is exceptional at his job. For me, he is a very clever manager."