My priority are top clubs —Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says he is “too young” to consider retirement as he spoke for the first time since he was sacked by Manchester United.

Mourinho, who was appearing as a pundit for Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports on its coverage of the Asian Cup, says he still belongs at the top level.

The 55-year-old had not spoken to the media since his dismissal in December.

“I want to coach. I belong to top-level football and [that] is where I am going to be,” Mourinho said.

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“I am too young, I am in football for a long, long time but I will be 56 in a couple of weeks and am really too young.”

The Portuguese manager was sacked by United on 18 December following a defeat to leaders Liverpool that left them closer in terms of points to the relegation zone than to the top of the table.

Since former Red Devils striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge, United have won a six successive games and are six points off the top four.

Mourinho said he was proud of what he achieved at Manchester United, particularly finishing second behind Manchester City in the 2017-18 season.

He said: “If I tell you for example that I consider one of the best jobs of my career was to finish second with Manchester United in the Premier League, you say ‘this guy is crazy – he won 25 titles…’

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“But I keep saying this because people don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. Sometimes we, on this side of the camera, analyse things with a different perspective.”

Mourinho will provide punditry for beIN on Thursday’s Asian Cup group match between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as for Saturday’s Premier League game between Arsenal and his former club Chelsea.

It is understood beIN are paying Mourinho in excess of £120,000 for his two appearances.