Rio Ferdinand has effectively ruled former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho out of one managerial position, despite admitting that he would hire him for the post.
Mourinho is out of management after he was sacked from Roma last week and replaced by club legend Daniele De Rossi until the end of the Serie A season.
Roma were ninth at the time of Mourinho’s sacking and the Serie A club had been knocked out of the Coppa Italia by city rivals Lazio.
Mourinho had enjoyed success at the Italian club, having secured the Europa Conference League title in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico.
The 60-year-old Portuguese manager also led Roma to the Europa League final last season, only for the Serie A side to suffer a defeat to Sevilla on penalties.
Mourinho, who was in charge at United for two-and-a-half seasons, broke his silence after his sacking from Roma and sent out a heartfelt message to fans.
The former United and Chelsea boss was also on the verge of tears after he received a spine-tingling reception from Roma fans following his dismissal from the club.
Mourinho has already attracted interest from one club, but the former Roma head coach has made his stance clear on the lucrative offer.
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United legend Ferdinand on Mourinho
Ferdinand reacted to Mourinho’s sacking on his VIBE with FIVE show and ruled out the idea of the ‘Special One’ becoming the next England manager.
Gareth Southgate is under contract with the Three Lions until December 2024 and the England manager’s future remains shrouded in mystery.
The 53-year-old led his side to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 in Russia and to the final of Euro 2020, with England suffering defeat to Italy in the latter.
Southgate, who reached the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup with the Three Lions, will lead England at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
However, Ferdinand doesn’t believe that the FA would appoint Mourinho as the next England manager and highlighted the major differences compared with Southgate.
“I don’t think the FA hire a Jose Mourinho. I would,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“But I don’t think the FA… They’re not going from Gareth Southgate to Mourinho. That’s too big of a difference in character and personality.”
The United legend added: “Yeah […] [that’s like going from] ready salted to vindaloo, bruv. It’s not happening.”
Ferdinand on what’s next for Mourinho
Ferdinand also ruled out the idea of Mourinho making a sensational return to Chelsea, despite saying he would “love to see” him back at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho has been linked with Newcastle amid mounting pressure on Magpies boss Eddie Howe, but Ferdinand admitted he doesn’t want to see Howe leave the club.
“To Chelsea? Mourinho? No chance. They’re going backwards,” Ferdinand said.
“These guys… these Americans don’t go backwards like that. Not backwards in talent or class… They’re not going backwards and getting… that was an interim stopgap [the appointment of Frank Lampard].
“I would love to see Jose back there, I’ve got to be honest. Me, personally, Jose, please, I hope you get the job, if [Mauricio] Pochettino don’t do well. I think they’re gonna stay with Pochettino.
Ferdinand continued: “If he don’t go [to] Chelsea, where’s he go? Newcastle? I would love to see him there.
“But Eddie Howe, man, he’s been unreal. Yeah, but I wouldn’t want to see Eddie go.”
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