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Benni McCarthy revealed he turned down a potential move to Manchester United out of loyalty to Jose Mourinho, a decision that ultimately cost him both opportunities.
Benni McCarthy came close to signing with Manchester United during his time at Blackburn Rovers, but his loyalty to Jose Mourinho prevented him from finalising the move.
The Harambee Stars coach was at Blackburn Rovers for three-and-a-half seasons, from 2006 to 2010 and at the time, he wanted to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
Benni McCarthy had played under Mourinho at Porto FC from 2002 to 2006, before the Portuguese went to manage Chelsea from 2004 to 2007.
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At the time, Jose Mourinho was working around the clock to have Benni McCarthy join him at Chelsea, but that deal flopped since he moved to West Ham United.
Benni McCarthy: I Couldn't Betray Jose Mourinho
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Benni McCarthy revealed that when he was at Blackburn, there had been a chance for him to join Manchester United.
He explained that Mark Hughes had spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson about him, sharing details about his personality and how he was off the field.
The former Manchester United attacking coach noted that while Ferguson wanted players to be good enough on the pitch, he also placed importance on their character outside of football.
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He admitted that, as a United fan, he had been very tempted to take the opportunity, but unfortunately, it came at the same time Chelsea also expressed interest in signing him.
“For me, after everything at Porto, Jose Mourinho was just so special to me, the best manager I’d ever worked for. So, for me, any chance to work for Jose would beat anything, even playing for my boyhood club,” Benni McCarthy told Bet Online Promo Codes.
“Unfortunately, my loyalty was ultimately with Jose, and he really wanted me at Chelsea, and so I dismissed everything, including United.
“I’d spoken to Jose, I couldn’t betray him. My relationship with Jose was too special. I can’t say that if I’d gone to United that I would have succeeded. Who knows what would have happened? But my heart was with Jose, and it came at a big cost. I didn’t move to Chelsea, and United didn’t happen.”
Benni McCarthy added that Blackburn had always assured him they would allow him to leave if Manchester United showed interest, but he had focused all his efforts on securing a move to Chelsea. Unfortunately, Blackburn were unwilling to sell him to the London club.
In the end, Benni McCarthy’s unwavering loyalty to Jose Mourinho meant turning down a dream move to his boyhood club, Manchester United, a decision that ultimately cost him both opportunities and left him wondering what might have been.
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