Robbie Savage is adamant that Jose Mourinho is the only coach who can fill Sir Alex Ferguson's seat when he retires.

Speaking in his column for The Mirror, the Welshman affirmed his admiration for Mourinho and even went as far as to label him as "more than a manager".

Savage said: "I told you last week that Real Madrid should move heaven and earth to make him their next boss, but after his triumphant return to Stamford Bridge I've got something even bigger in mind.

"There are persistent rumours linking Jose with Liverpool but I think he would be crazy to go there if Rafa Benitez goes. They need more than the four world-class players Fernando Torres is asking for and that makes it too big a rebuilding job with owners who don't seem to have the deepest pockets.

"No, I think Mourinho has to wait it out for Sir Alex Ferguson's job when the great man retires.

"Jose is the only manager in the world with the force of personality big enough to take over from the best boss ever."

The seasoned footballer was also insistent that the Portuguese coach's preference for a defensive game will not be an obstacle if he does succeed Fergie's attack-minded game at Old Trafford.

He added: "The sticking point has always been the fact that Mourinho is supposed to be defensively-minded while United fans demand attacking football.

"So what an audition Tuesday night was. Italian teams - especially those protecting a lead - are supposed to sit back and stifle.

"Instead, Inter tore into Chelsea in the second half with a brilliant display and they should have had more goals.

"The Blues were shell-shocked and probably for the first time, the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack looked their age."

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