Jose Mourinho Wanted The Liverpool Job In 2004, According To Danny Murphy

Jose Mourinho is currently the manager of Manchester United, but things could have gone very differently, it seems.

Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy says that the Portugese boss wanted to take the reins at Anfield back in 2004, before Rafa Benitez got the job.

Mourinho was managing FC Porto at the time Liverpool were looking for a replacement for Gerard Houlier and was reportedly keen on the managerial post, but the Reds ultimately went for Benitez.

But 'the special one' desperately wanted the role, according to Murphy.

jose mourinho

Speaking on TalkSPORT, he said:

"When Benitez was appointed at Liverpool, it was between him and Mourinho. I know that for a fact. Mourinho wanted the Liverpool job massively.

"But Liverpool basically went with Benitez, because he'd just won the Spanish league title and UEFA Cup with Valencia and they thought that was more solid an appointment than someone who had only done it in Portugal.

"I know Mourinho was massively disappointed."

Mourinho would later go on to manage Chelsea and won the Premier League two years on the trot but things could have been very different.

Wonder what Manchester United fans make of that?

(h/t Liverpool Echo)

Topics: Liverpool, Danny Murphy, Jose Mourinho, Chelsea, Manchester United, FC Porto, Premier League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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