Jose Mourinho’s former assistant Rui Faria has made his first step into management with QSL side Al Duhail, revealed that he did not seek the advice of his former boss of 17 years before taking the job. 

Faria, 43 added that he planned to start his managerial career next season but following a conversation with club management he was convinced to join the reigning QSL champions. 

“It’s a pleasure to be here, an honour for me to be here to start working for Duhail. After speaking for some hours with Mr Khalifa I understood the project the club and the ambitions of the side. Al Duhail is a good side who understand the importance of good work, and I want to make my mark here.”

“Aspire, Aspetar and the World Cup coming are examples of that commitment to sport in Qatar, Duhail have those kind of ambitions and share these interests in football and that is why I am here to contribute and bring my experience to this club” added the Portuguese coach. 

Faria parted ways with Mourinho at the end of last season with Manchester United finishing in second place. Since his departure from the Premier League giants, United faltered significantly under the Mourinho ending up in his dismissal in December 2018. When asked about his former job, Faria refused to comment preferring to look to his own future. 

“Well the day I decided to stop being an assistant I knew the next step would be to coach, I had those ambitions involved with big projects and that gave me huge experience and that after the day I decided to leave I said the next step would be coaching.”

“In relation to my former club, I was not there and I do not want to comment on that, I myself would like to look forward and to the future with my new club.” 

Speaking at the press conference Faira also confirmed he had signed an 18 month deal with Duhail, and that tellingly he did not seek out the advice of Mourinho when moving to Qatar for his first managerial role. 

"No, I didn't ask the opinion of jose, I think he probly had much more to think than giving his opinion in relation to my decision to come here. I have spoken to Jose on many other things, but this was my decision.”

Faira will be hoping that his new side can hit the ground running when Al Duhail restart the QSL season with a match against Al Sailiya on the 5th of Febuary.