Jose Mourinho will arrive at Old Trafford as an away coach for the sixth time on Tuesday, but on future visits, he will hope to take a seat in the home dug-out.
It is thought that the position the Real Madrid manager covets above all others is the one currently occupied by his Manchester United counterpart Alex Ferguson, and Ferguson appears to support his candidacy.
Mourinho's first trip to Old Trafford as a manager, in March 2004, saw him embark on a provocative dash down the touchline after a last-minute goal by Costinha enabled Porto to knock United out of the Champions League.
Three months later, after guiding Porto to victory in the competition, he arrived at Chelsea and his arrogant posturing quickly raised Ferguson's hackles.
"I remember his first press conference and I thought: 'Christ, he's a cocky bastard, him,'" the Scot recalled in a British television documentary last year.
"He was telling the players: 'Look, I'm the special one, we don't lose games.'"
Mourinho's stunning success at Chelsea gave Ferguson even more reason to rue the Portuguese's arrival in English football, but the initial emnity gave way to deep mutual respect.
Asked if Mourinho could one day replace him at Old Trafford, Ferguson replied: "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, there is no question about that."
Mourinho, 50, has made his desire to succeed the 71-year-old Scot common knowledge, but he toed a diplomatic line last month when asked if he was the man to replace Ferguson.
"I don't believe so," he said. "I think we have to end our career at the same time. Him at 90 and me at 70."
Mourinho remains one of only three men to have won the European Cup with two different clubs -- Porto and Inter Milan -- but his stock has fallen this season.
Madrid took last season's Spanish league title in imperious fashion but the wheels have fallen off their juggernaut in the current campaign, with Barcelona 13 points clear of their arch rivals in La Liga.
Sporting failure has been played out against a backdrop of changing-room tension, amid reports that Madrid's senior players have grown tired of their manager's limelight-hogging antics.
Mourinho is widely expected to leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season, although his stock has risen in recent weeks after back-to-back wins over Barca in the Copa del Rey and the league.
Hopes of delivering the 10th Champions League crown that Madrid crave, however, were compromised by the 1-1 draw at home to United in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Mourinho's campaign for the United job has not been helped by the emergence of dissenting voices from within the Old Trafford hierarchy.
Club legend Bobby Charlton broke ranks to criticise the Madrid manager last year, apparently contradicting Ferguson's assertion that Mourinho would be a strong candidate for the role.
Asked about the 2011 incident that saw Mourinho poke Barcelona's then assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye, Charlton told The Guardian: "A United manager wouldn't do that.
"Mourinho is a really good coach, but that's as far as I would go really."
Peter Schmeichel, widely considered United's greatest ever goalkeeper, has echoed Charlton's concerns.
"He will not be the successor (to Ferguson)," the Dane told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.
"He's a great candidate for his qualities as a manager but the club doesn't want all the things that come with him."
Mourinho has another opportunity to remind United of his managerial gifts on Tuesday, but his path to the Old Trafford hot-seat no longer looks quite as straightforward as it once did.
AFP
Mon Mar 04 2013
![Mourinho eyes residency on Old Trafford return Mourinho eyes residency on Old Trafford return](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-01/41359075409_295x200.jpg)
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
![Kaspersky tinggalkan pasaran AS bermula 20 Julai ini Kaspersky tinggalkan pasaran AS bermula 20 Julai ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/51708604164_kasperskyancamans.jpg)
Kaspersky tinggalkan pasaran AS bermula 20 Julai ini
Kaspersky mengesahkan kurang 50 pekerja akan terkesan, dan mereka akan diberikan pampasan susulan penutupan syarikat tersebut.
![Keluarga Nur Farah Kartini mohon henti keluar kenyataan guris hati Keluarga Nur Farah Kartini mohon henti keluar kenyataan guris hati](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721127722_NurFarahKartini.jpg)
Keluarga Nur Farah Kartini mohon henti keluar kenyataan guris hati
Kakak ipar mangsa Syeril Norsyuhada Suhaimi, 29, berkata mereka sekeluarga masih terkejut dan sedih atas kejadian yang menimpa Nur Farah Kartini.
![Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721125507_SultanSelangor.jpg)
Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata
Sultan Selangor Sultan kini berada di hospital untuk rawatan pemeriksaan kesihatan bagi menjalani prosedur pembedahan katarak mata.
Enam MP kekal : Tak adil salahkan Speaker - Gobind
Mengenai keputusan mengekalkan enam kerusi Parlimen bekas ahli Bersatu, Gobind Singh Deo berkata tidak adil untuk salahkan Speaker buat keputusan yang diperuntukkan undang-undang.
![Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721123744_tokandadah.jpg)
Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar
Polis menahan dua lelaki dan merampas dua pucuk pistol serta pelbagai jenis dadah dalam dua tangkapan di Taman Lam Foong, di Alor Setar.
![Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB
Beliau berkata tahap pertempuran dan kemusnahan yang melampau di Gaza tidak dapat difahami dan tidak boleh dimaafkan.
![Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721121786_MuhyiddinYassin.jpg)
Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Muhyiddin memberitahu bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary.
![Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81712376317_TujuanForensik.jpg)
Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas
Gen HNF4A (Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha) didapati akan berhenti berfungsi pada tubuh pesakit kanser pankreas.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Potensi dan cabaran percambahan e-Sukan di Malaysia
Pengerusi Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Negeri Selangor
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
![Saya tidak boleh bayangkan Ronaldo beraksi di Piala Dunia 2026 - Alex Ferguson Saya tidak boleh bayangkan Ronaldo beraksi di Piala Dunia 2026 - Alex Ferguson](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720835300_CristianoRonaldo.jpg)
"Saya tidak boleh bayangkan Ronaldo beraksi di Piala Dunia 2026" - Alex Ferguson
Ferguson percaya Ronaldo sudah memiliki segalanya sepanjang karier bola sepaknya.
![Nenek pertahanan Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold kekasih lama Alex Ferguson Nenek pertahanan Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold kekasih lama Alex Ferguson](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51712206534_AlexanderArnoldjpg.jpg)
Nenek pertahanan Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold kekasih lama Alex Ferguson
Nenek pertahanan Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold pernah menjadi kekasih legenda Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson suatu ketika dahulu.
![Ferguson, Wenger dua pengurus pertama dalam Hall of Fame EPL Ferguson, Wenger dua pengurus pertama dalam Hall of Fame EPL](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/41680139218_AlexFergusonArseneW.jpg)
Ferguson, Wenger dua pengurus pertama dalam Hall of Fame EPL
Dua bekas pengurus yang pernah berseteru itu tersenarai untuk menyertai Hall of Fame EPL, yang mula diperkenalkan pada 2021.
![Anwar kongsi pengalaman dengan Sir Alex Ferguson Anwar kongsi pengalaman dengan Sir Alex Ferguson](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/61675175121_TBMASHUPANWARALE.jpg)
Anwar kongsi pengalaman dengan Sir Alex Ferguson
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, berkongsi pengalaman dengan pengurus legenda pasukan Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, untuk dicontohi persatuan dan badan sukan di negara ini dalam memb
![Mengapa sekarang? Carragher persoal permintaan Ronaldo tinggalkan United Mengapa sekarang? Carragher persoal permintaan Ronaldo tinggalkan United](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/41650323170_TBCR.jpg)
Mengapa sekarang? Carragher persoal permintaan Ronaldo tinggalkan United
Cristiano Ronaldo sepatutnya memberitahu Manchester United bahawa dia mahu meninggalkan kelab pada penghujung musim lalu dan bukannya menjatuhkan kejutan pada Julai.
![Layanan 'pengering rambut' Ferguson cairkan Ronaldo Layanan 'pengering rambut' Ferguson cairkan Ronaldo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/81630313561_TBAlexFerguson.jpg)
Layanan 'pengering rambut' Ferguson cairkan Ronaldo
Apa yang tersirat di dalam minda Sir Alex Ferguson semestinya ditanya-tanyakan oleh peminat bola sepak seantero dunia.
![Ferguson kunci kepulangan Ronaldo ke Manchester United Ferguson kunci kepulangan Ronaldo ke Manchester United](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/51630129242_FergusonRonaldo.jpg)
Ferguson kunci kepulangan Ronaldo ke Manchester United
United semalam mengumumkan telah mencapai persetujuan dengan Juventus bagi mendapatkan khidmat bintang Portugal itu.
![100 perlawanan EPL Solskjaer: Bagaimana bandingan dengan Ferguson dan pengurus United yang lain? 100 perlawanan EPL Solskjaer: Bagaimana bandingan dengan Ferguson dan pengurus United yang lain?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-09/61599715965_TBOleGunnarSolskjae.jpg)
100 perlawanan EPL Solskjaer: Bagaimana bandingan dengan Ferguson dan pengurus United yang lain?
Di United, terdapat prestasi naik turun dipamerkan, tetapi persembahan menyamai rekod ke atas Saints adalah bukti peningkatan dipamerkan pasukan di bawah kendalian Solskjaer musim ini.
![Rashford ingat pesan Mourinho cara menangi sepakan penalti Rashford ingat pesan Mourinho cara menangi sepakan penalti](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-01/51610769907_SoccerFootballFA.jpg)
Rashford ingat pesan Mourinho cara menangi sepakan penalti
United meraih sepakan penalti yang luar biasa dalam beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini berbanding seteru mereka dalam Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL).
![EPL: Jurgen Klopp dinamakan pengurus terbaik EPL: Jurgen Klopp dinamakan pengurus terbaik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-02/41582001678_Liverpoolsmanager.jpg)
EPL: Jurgen Klopp dinamakan pengurus terbaik
Klopp mengemudi The Reds sehingga berjaya menjulang gelaran Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) buat pertama kalinya dalam tempoh 30 tahun.