The Sun tear down their own Mourinho story

Yesterday Sport without Spin brought you the Mirror's set of stories on Jose Mourinho and considered his tendency to dominate the press' attention despite being manager of a club based 600 miles from London and definitely in another country. The Mirror were especially culpable, we decided, when it came to dropping Mourinho into a story, and never more so than as a Champions League tie with Manchester United approached. It was exactly the sort of journalism that we wished to tackle when we started the website, so you can imagine how delighted we were when the Sun, who (currently) have an infinitely higher level of resources, staffing and contacts than us, decided to take the baton and do some rumour-busting of their own with regards to the Mourinho story:

JOSE MOURINHO has slammed claims that he is after Alex Ferguson’s job.

The Inter Milan boss is furious about the reports, which have clouded the build-up to his team’s Champions League clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

Interviews at the weekend had quoted Mourinho saying he was ready to replace Fergie as United chief and would defeat him in the second leg.

But the Special One says he made no such comments.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho wants his friend and colleague to know he would not be so disrespectful as to talk about replacing the Scottish legend.

His advisor Eladio Parames told SunSport last night: “Jose did not give an interview or speak with anyone about Alex Ferguson’s job.

“The contents of the article are ridiculous. First, it shows a lack of respect to Sir Alex, whom Jose is a great admirer of and believes will manage Manchester United for many years to come.

“Jose has a deal with Inter, which he plans to honour.

“And it shows a lack of respect to Manchester United in a week in which Inter are preparing to face them in an important Champions League match.

“Jose would not say that he will definitely beat Manchester United in Wednesday’s game.

“Of course he wants to beat United, but that is a different thing.”

It's very refreshing to see a newspaper report something so frankly. It appears, then, that since Jose “did not give an interview or speak with anyone” that the contents of any article which contains quotes would indeed be “ridiculous”, and “show a lack of respect”. So who have the Sun cut down to size?

The News of the World. Or, as some might call it, the Sun on Sunday. Here's what the NotW published 48 hours previously:

Mourinho Exclusive: I can do Fergie's job

'If you want me to rule out being Man United manager I can’t'

JOSE MOURINHO has sensationally put himself in the frame to become the next manager of Manchester United.

The former Chelsea boss admits he expects to be considered when Sir Alex Ferguson finally quits Old Trafford.

Mourinho, who takes on Fergie when his Inter Milan side face United in the Champions League this week, rates himself as “one of the best managers in the world.”

And he reckons United will be unable to ignore his credentials when they begin the search for Fergie’s successor.

Mourinho’s gift for self-promotion has never been stronger as he claimed: “I have big jobs left in me that is for sure — but I can’t commit to which ones.

“If you want me to rule out ever being Manchester United manager I can’t. Special clubs need special managers so in theory it could work, but nobody knows what the future is in football.

“The England national team wanted me as coach and that is the biggest job in England, so I am sure when Sir Alex retires they will look at the best managers in the world and I certainly fall into that category.”

You saw it here first – today marks the day the Sun embarked on a quest for the purity of truth, and we wish them all the best. Only time will tell if there's still something left for us to write about here.

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