Barca could have appointed Mourinho

Posted Thursday, May 17, 2012 by ESPN

Former Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano has revealed that Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho was considered for the manager's position at the club.

When former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard was relieved of his duties at the end of the 2007/08 season, there were several candidates linked to the position at the Catalan club. Soriano has shared with Eurosport that then Chelsea boss Mourinho was actually the preferred candidate instead of Pep Guardiola.

"I can confirm that we initially preferred Mourinho over Pep," he stated.

Nonetheless, Barcelona chose to pass up on the Portuguese and he went on to join Italian side Inter Milan. Soriano revealed that the club were afraid Mourinho would attempt to alter the characteristic playing style of the team.

"Mourinho is a great coach who has enjoyed plenty of success. He had worked for Barcelona before, so he knew how we play."

"However, you just have to look at the way Inter and Real Madrid play to see that he has a different philosophy. That's why eventually we decided not to hire him."

Mourinho did eventually make the move to La Liga, when he was appointed manager of Real Madrid in 2010. Los Blancos are this season's league champions.