Five insights from our interview with the Portuguese soccer firebrand, as he prepares to take over as the new Manchester United Football Club manager.

Last year, Mr Simon Hattenstone sat down with Mr José Mourinho – the man who is almost certain to be the next manager of Manchester United – for an exclusive interview in The Journal. From his favourite ever player to his views on his temperament, we learnt a few things about the Portuguese boss that could give us some clues about how he will lead the Red Devils next season.

There is much talk of how Mr Mourinho likes hardworking, defensive-minded players to make up a team that is strong and resolute. So, when we asked him who his favourite player was, we were not expecting his answer. “George Best. I’m serious. I’m serious… George Best! He was amazing. Amazing! And he was 30 years ahead of his time. This guy today would be pppphhhhwwwww…” A tricky attacker with a bit of an off-field reputation? Sounds like a certain Mr Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

When we asked him if he ever regrets his outbursts, he said: “No, no. I never regret that because it comes from my heart, the emotions. I’m not worried about being politically correct or to say what people expect me to say. I normally say what I feel, and I don’t think of the consequences. I feel more worried about the consequences if I don’t say it, if I keep it to myself.”

Mr Mourinho is known for his leadership qualities and man-management skills (something his predecessor Mr Louis van Gaal struggled with). But what makes a good leader? “I think respecting people you lead is vital. For sure, it’s not that they fear you… They don’t fear you, no. They believe in you, they trust you and if possible – this is the ultimate level as a leader – they love you.”

When we asked him why he liked living in England, he mentioned the “basic things” in life. “I live in central London, I open the door, I walk, I shop, I go to a brasserie, I have a doughnut.” We asked him if he would allow his players to eat doughnuts. “Yes, of course. People are obsessed with not eating, passing up food… the pleasure of eating prepares you for the next day of work. Happiness is very important.”

At one point, talk turns to politics. He feels his task with his players is similar to that of a politician’s with the general public. “Politicians need credibility. They need people to believe in them, they need people to feel they respect them, they need the people to feel they want to make our lives better. The same way that my players must feel – I want to make them better players, I want to make them win money, I want to make them have a better future for them and their families. So this is about trust.”