Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has claimed that Jose Mourinho is the ideal candidate to take over at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson steps down.

A number of coaches have been linked with succeeding the decorated Scot at one of Europe's most successful clubs.

However, Sheringham, who played under Ferguson for three years, believes that Mourinho has the personality to handle the intense pressure.

"It will be intimidating to follow a man who has achieved so much. Mourinho is one of the few people who could ­handle it. There is no doubt in my mind about that," Sheringham, who played for three years under Ferguson, told The Mirror.

"He is a proven winner. And it will need a special ­individual to take over at Old ­Trafford when that job eventually comes up. He could handle it, I am sure of that."

Mourinho, whose future at Real Madrid is currently in doubt, has also been considered as a possible successor to Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur if Redknapp takes the England job.