JOE COLE RATES MOURINHO BEHIND CONTE

Former Bluesstar Joe Cole has named Jose Mourinho the best manager in England behind Antonio Conte of Chelsea following the victory over Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday.


The Portuguese coach has had mixed fortunes at the club since arriving last year. He failed to make the famed Premier League top four spot but he won the EFL Cup and has now delivered a Champions League spot regardless after winning the Europa League title.

United finished 24 points behind league winners Chelsea but Cole says Mourinho is a success in his short stay at Old Trafford. Cole says Mou is a success in getting a group of players to “win two trophies and get to the Champions League.”

Cole said the distractions in Europe hampered the former Chelsea coach from performing better in the league. He disregarded the criticisms against the manager, calling them “ridiculous and unjust.”

United previously won the EFL Cup and with the Europa League trophy, Cole says they deserve more praise than they deserve especially as it is a team that is still under construction. The former Premier League star who is now with Tampa Bay Rowdies is asking for more respect for the Red Devils team.

Mourinho is set to continue his overhaul of the team this summer. Numerous names have been linked with the team but the manager is keeping mum on his interests. At least a defender and a striker should join them. James Rodriguez of Real Madrid and Antoine Griezmann are the biggest names linked with a move to Old Trafford.