Jose Mourinho is closing in on a return to management (Picture: Getty)
Jose Mourinho’s reported return to football management will deliver him an awkward reunion with a former Manchester United player who it was claimed he never wanted to sign.
Mourinho is closing in on a two-year deal to become the manager of Turkish club Fenerbahce in what would be the 11th managerial role of his storied career.
The Portuguese 61-year-old has been out of the dugout since he was sacked by Serie A side Roma following a disappointing run of results.
His surprise move to Turkey, however, will present an awkward reunion for Mourinho with former United midfielder Fred.
The Brazilian midfielder was signed from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in June 2018 for £47million as the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss prepared for his third season at the club.
However, Fred endured a fractious relationship with Mourinho prior to the latter’s sacking in December later that year.
After being substituted during a Champions League fixture against Valencia, Mourinho is reported to have told the midfielder that ‘your days [at the club] are numbered’.
Fred and Mourinho had a strained relationship during their time at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Following his sacking from the club, a report from The Athletic suggested that Mourinho never even wanted to sign Fred in the first place.
The then-United manager is only said to have agreed to the deal because he felt he would not receive a new midfielder at all if he turned his nose up at the Brazilian.
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Fred has enjoyed a productive maiden season in Turkey, making 35 appearances for Fenerbahce in all competitions and scoring three goals.
Despite his efforts, though, Fenerbahce finished three points behind eventual Super Lig champions Galatasaray, meaning they have now gone a decade without a Turkish title.
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