Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has said that Jose Mourinho was “devastated” when he was not given the Liverpool Managerial job back in 2004.
Mourinho, physician who was in charge of FC Porto at the tim wanted to be Gerard Houllier’s successor but the Reds’ opted to appoint Rafa Benitez instead.
Murphy told talkSPORT: “When Benitez was appointed at Liverpool, it was between him and Mourinho. I know that for a fact. Mourinho wanted the Liverpool job massively.
“But Liverpool basically went with Benitez, ask because he’d just won the Spanish league title and UEFA Cup with Valencia and they thought that was more solid an appointment than someone who had only done it in Portugal.
“I know Mourinho was massively disappointed.”
Murphy made some 249 appearances for Liverpool between 1997 and 2004.
He was sold to Charlton Athletic shortly after Benitez’s arrival at Anfield.
“I’m gutted too because Benitez came in and didn’t want me,” he joked.