Gossip: Manchester United boss Mourinho 'laughs off job speculation', Pogba 'wants Juventus return'

Well, at least one of our football managers is pragmatic enough to look at the bigger picture.

According to the Telegraph, Jose Mourinho has laughed off speculation about being sacked by Manchester United – because of how much money it would cost the Red Devils.

The boss, dismissing talk he was under pressure along the way, had the audacity to suggest that the pay-off for his dismissal – believed to be £15million would be too much for the club.

Tempting fate, perhaps? Or is Mourinho just *that* self-assured? For all we know, it’s probably a blend of the two.

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When quizzed by Italian publications La Repubblica and Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: “They say I’m in danger but I don’t think it.

“If they send me away, do you have any idea how much money they would have to give me? Ah ah.”

In possibly the first tongue-in-cheek interview by the Portuguese winner for quite some time, he also apparently had a joke over the banner which labelled Ed Woodward a ‘specialist in failure’.

Asked if it was organised by him, he supposedly replied: “No… but I could have!”

So that’s that, then. Mourinho is back in playful mood. Let’s see how long that lasts.

Paul Pogba ‘wants Juventus reunion’

Yesterday saw Marcelo linked with a move to Juventus to be reunited with his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid defender was presumably keen on CR7’s ability to haul a team through, and apparently he isn’t the only one.

Manchester United’s €100m man Paul Pogba is keen to link up with the Portugal legend at his old club Juve, if the Express is to be believed.

Pogba, 25, apparently wants to leave United after his relationship with the manager deteriorated. Who would’ve thought.

And the outlet reports he wants out in January, which certainly would leave Mourinho with a problem or two. If he hasn’t been paid £15m by then, of course.

In other speculative news, Watford are keen to tie Javi Gracia to a new deal after leading the Hornets to four wins out of four this season.

Clearly seeking to avoid a repeat of the Marco Silva situation, Watford are keen to end any external interest in the manager.

They had better act quickly, though. Bottom-of-the-table and pointless West Ham are exactly the sort of side who would make a bid for Gracia’s services.

And finally, Aston Villa are said to be lining up a move for John Terry’s services. Yes, again.

Steve Bruce is supposedly desperate to bring the former England centre-back back to Villa Park, after he led them to the play-off final last season, only to be beaten by Fulham.