Jose Mourinho speaks on Man United’s decision to ‘sack’ Sir Alex Ferguson from £2.16m ambassadorial contract

Jose Mourinho has commented on Manchester United’s decision to sack Sir Alex Ferguson from his £2.16m ambassadorial contract.

Ferguson will step down from his lucrative role at the end of the season after new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ended his contract as part of a cost-cutting programme.

Mourinho was asked about the decision as he prepared to meet United as Fenerbahce boss in Thursday night’s Europa League tie in Istanbul.

‘My relationship with Sir Alex was amazing, incredible,’ said Mourinho. ‘When my Netflix documentary comes out, you will know more about the reason why I have so much respect for him.

‘The ambassadorial role, I really don’t know that situation. It doesn’t matter why, it doesn’t matter what, Sir Alex has the most important thing: the love and respect of every Manchester United fan around the world. That is more important than the role or a few pounds he can make.’

On the situation at United since he left in December 2018, Ten Hag added: ‘Honestly, I didn’t lose one minute thinking about it. I wish the best to Man United since the moment I left.

‘I left with a good feeling to the club, with a good feeling to the fans and I want the best for them. So if things are not going amazingly well for them, it’s not something that makes me happy. But at the same time I have no time and it doesn’t make sense for me to be thinking about what happened or what didn’t happen.’

Ferguson became a global ambassador for the Manchester club when he decided to leave coaching in 2013. But, according to The Athletic, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company has decided to end the former manager’s link with the club.

According to Mirror UK, the agreement said to be worth in excess of £2million-a-year and in place since October 2013, was terminated by Ineos in a bid to reduce the club’s costs.