Faria worked alongside Mourinho for 17 years
Rui Faria has lifted the lid on his decision to leave Manchester United in the summer, bringing to an end 17 years working with Jose Mourinho.
The 43-year-old had spent the last two years at United and his decision to leave came as a surprise to many. Speaking to The Times, Faria has now explained that his decision to leave was motivated by his family.
“It was not a decision I took overnight, it was a mature decision and I don’t regret it,” he says. “I felt the decision was about my family, they had been very patient with me for all these years and it was time for me to think more of them.”
Having spent nearly two years as Mourinho’s assistant, Faria also reveals that he plans to go into management when he does decide to return to football.
“Being Jose’s assistant for so many years, I couldn’t be an assistant to somebody else,” he explains. “Working with Jose is the best experience you can have. I don’t think there’s a manager in the world with the experience Jose has and the wisdom,” he added.
Faria’s departure from Old Trafford prompted a coaching reshuffle, with Michael Carrick – retiring from playing at the end of last season – now joining Mourinho’s coaching staff.
