Ferguson’s ambassador role will be scrapped (Picture: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has questioned Manchester United’s decision to terminate Sir Alex Ferguson’s role at Old Trafford, insisting his presence at the club ‘is worth more than a few pounds’.
Ferguson stepped down as United boss in 2013 after winning 38 trophies in 26 years at the helm, remaining on the payroll as a global ambassador for the next decade.
But in the latest cost-cutting measure at the club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy will bring an end to that arrangement, axing his £2.6million-a-year role.
The decision has been met with dismay by a number of former United stars, including Eric Cantona who labelled the move ‘scandalous’.
United are in Europa League action against Fenerbahce on Thursday night with Mourinho reunited with the club who sacked him in 2019.
The Portuguese, who was also close to succeeding Ferguson as United boss in 2013, spoke warmly of his relationship with the legendary Scot ahead of Thursday’s fixture, insisting the ‘love and respect’ he still has from every fan should not be forgotten by its new decision-makers.
‘The ambassadorial role I really don’t know in depth the situation but it doesn’t matter why, or what. what Sir Alex has the most important thing.
Mourinho’s Fenerbahce host United on Thursday (Picture: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
‘Which is the love and respect of every Manchester United fan around the world. That is more important than an ambassadorial role, it is more important than a few pounds that he can make that he doesn’t need.
‘The most important thing is the love and the respect every Manchester United fan has for him.’
Mourinho added: ‘My relationship with Alex was amazing and incredible, when my Netflix documentary comes out, you’ll know more about the reason why I have so much respect for him.’
Mourinho arrived at United in 2016 following the departure of Louis van Gaal, winning the Europa League and League Cup in his first season in charge.
In his second campaign at the club, United finished runners up behind champions Manchester City
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