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David Gill rules out Jose Mourinho Manchester United link - for now

Jose Mourinho hasn’t ruled out taking charge of Manchester United one day and neither, it would appear, has David Gill.

The chief executive today pointedly refused to answer the question of whether the axed Chelsea manager would at some stage in the future take over the reigns at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson finally decided to step down.

Gill did, however, categorically rule out Mourinho assuming any kind of role at Manchester United while Ferguson was still in charge.

“It is not going to happen,” he said. “We don’t need it and we don’t think it is appropriate. We don’t want that kind of confusion coming into Manchester United.

“Mourinho is clearly a very successful coach, he has done well here in a relatively short period of time. But we don’t need that kind of interference in our club.”

Gill also made it clear that Ferguson, who is about to celebrate 21 years in charge of United, has no intention of stepping down anytime soon.

“Alex has a good few years ahead of him, so succession plans are not on the agenda at the moment,” Gill said. “As and when Alex decides to step down we will look at all possibilities but we have a great team managing Manchester United on the pitch at the moment and we see no reason to change that at all.”

And while there have been suggestions that Mourinho was saddled with players he did not want - such as Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack - during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Gill said he did not believe that to be true, nor would he ever interfere with team affairs at United.

“I have never suggested signing players and I don’t think any of the big clubs would ever do that, he said. “It would never work, and it would be a recipe for disaster. And knowing Peter Kenyon as I do, I’m sure that didn’t happen at Chelsea either.”

Gill: no concerns over Glazer debt

DAVID Gill has insisted Manchester United's profits will 'amply cover' their long-term debt repayments.

Reports have surfaced over the last few weeks that the Glazer family are struggling to cope with massive interest rates, raising the possibility they could sell at least part of their stake in the Old Trafford outfit.

Unnamed consortia from both the Far East and Dubai have been linked with a potential move for the club, although twice in the last month, the Glazers have unequivocally denied any desire to do business.

Gill, who reports to the Florida-based family, has backed up that theory.

And he revealed United are stable enough financially for fans not to have any worries over the future.

"Things are going very well," he said. "Because of the changes in the economics of the business, with the expansion of the stadium and the (new) television deal, both our revenues, and importantly, our cash profits will be up significantly.

"We can amply cover what are the long-term financing plans for the business."

Earlier this year, United did attempt to restructure the debts incurred by the Glazer's controversial £790million in 2005 but in the end decided not to.

As a former financial director at Old Trafford, Gill is perfectly placed to judge United's ability to meet their obligations. And he sees no cause for concern.

"In the summer of 2006 we put in place a long-term financing plan which brought down the interest costs on the business as compared with the takeover in 2005," he said.

"Since then we have fixed the interest rates, we are moving forward.

"Our interest cover is excellent, and over time we will generate sufficient funds to make sure the business is on a sound financial footing, and continues to be so."

And, Gill denied the Glazers had fielded any approach from interested parties over United, which has been valued at over £1billion.

"No, no-one has been in," he said.

"These things surface every six weeks but the reality is the Glazers are long term holders of the club.

"If you look at their other investments, whether it be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or other business investments in the States, they have held them for many, many years.

"They don't need to sell, and don't intend to sell."