Despite being named as Manchester United manager in May, Jose Mourinho finally spoke to the press today for the first time in his new role.
The Portuguese manager replaced Louis van Gaal after he was sacked by Chelsea late last year. Mourinho will hope to better last season's fifth placed finish in the Premier League.
Speaking in Old Trafford, the 53-year-old was in bullish form when defending his record of promoting youth team players and how his tenure at Chelsea ended.
Despite having a reputation of ignoring his club's youth products Mourinho brought a list of players' names with him to the press conference to show his pedigree with youngsters.
Welcome to Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho! #mufc https://t.co/k3MkXmI0JU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 5, 2016
"Do you want to know how many players I have promoted from academies?" He asked the media. "Forty nine. Do you want me to list them out? I promoted 49 from the academies at clubs."
Mourinho was also quick to pass reference other managers without actually naming them. "Some managers, the last time they won a title was ten years ago. Some of them, never. The last time I won a title was a year ago. So if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others."
He also added that he was in regular contact with former manager Alex Ferguson and had spoken to him since taking the job. "He will always be welcome to the training ground obviously. We will have a lot of time to share our personal stuff – friends, family and life. His opinion is an important opinion for me."
Mourinho's first league game in charge of Manchester United will be away to Bournemouth on August 13th.
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