Manchester United’s José Mourinho: ‘I refused a big offer to go to China

José Mourinho, said he has turned down a “big offer” to coach in China. The Manchester United manager, 54, did not specify which club made the approach, or the timing of the offer, but did say he would not criticise anyone for moving to the Chinese Super League.

Last week Mourinho raised doubts over Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford by saying “the money is huge, the experience can also be interesting” amid reports of Far East interest in the striker.

Mourinho – who took charge at Manchester United last summer – confirmed he has also been the subject of an approach from China. Last month, Mourinho said he was “too young” to manage in China.

“I have already refused a big offer to go to China, but I don’t criticise anyone who decides to do it,” Mourinho said, speaking to GQ magazine. “It’s their choice, their life. Only they can decide what they need for their future. Other managers in the Premier League have been critical, but I am no critic.”

Mourinho is the latest big-name coach to be linked with a move to the Chinese Super League. Luiz Felipe Scolari and Sven Goran-Eriksson are already managers in the division on substantial wages while the striker Carlos Tévez recently joined Shanghai Shenhua on a reported £615,000 per week.

Mourinho did admit to being “worried” by the prospect of losing players to China but he hopes those tempted by the money consider the whole package. “If you are negotiating a new contract with one of your players, and you offer him £5m per year and they offer £25m, then you have a big problem,” he said. “Maybe the player takes £5m because he prefers football. Or £25m because he prefers money.

“I am worried, because they can offer contracts that are impossible to offer in Europe. But in the end the player who wants to go is a player that maybe you don’t want to keep.”