Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Jose Mourinho could succeed him as the Manchester United manager.

The Portuguese, who is currently working as the Real Madrid coach, has always said that he wants to return to England at some point in his managerial career.

"He can manage anywhere, absolutely," Ferguson told an ITV4 documentary on Mourinho when asked if he could manage United in the future.

"I would never think a guy who hasn't played a game could be a top coach but then you've got to look at his personality. He's got a marvellous, strong personality and that bridges that gap."

Ferguson then reflected on his first impression of Mourinho when he was appointed the Chelsea manager back in 2004.

"I remember his first press conference [at Chelsea] and I thought, 'Christ, he's a cocky b*****, him'," said the 70-year-old. "He was telling the players, 'Look, I'm the special one, we don't lose games'.

"Bloody hell, coming to England, he is only a young man and saying he is the special one! But it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league."

Mourinho's current contract with Madrid runs until June 2016.