BOBBY ROBSON has admitted that he wanted Benfica boss Jose Mourinho to join him at Newcastle, but denied expressing a desire to bring Joao Pinto to Tyneside. In a lengthy interview with Record in Portugal, the Toon boss also spoke openly about the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson as England coach, and Luis Figo`s shock move to Real Madrid.

There was a lot of speculation that Robson wanted Mourinho to work with him again, when he replaced Ruud Gullit as manager, but his former assistant was later handed the dream job of coaching Benfica.

"When I came to Newcastle, I wanted to bring him here," confirmed Robson. "But he was to finish his contract with Barcelona.

"Then I said to him - `Okay, Jose, honour your contract until it ends and later we will see what happens.`

"Last summer, I asked him again if he wanted to come to Newcastle.

"He answered me that perhaps he had a possibility to work as main coach. He said he wanted to wait for this possibility, that he could come later to Newcastle.

"Braga wanted to contract him and then Benfica appeared on the scene.

"My advice was that he accepted the proposal without hesitation.

"Unhappily, the president left, which affects his position at the club.

"But, if the new president is smart he will not move him away with haste and he will give him time to work and show he can do the job."

If Benfica decide to part with Mourinho, he could yet be lured to the North East to work alongside Robson in some capacity.

Joao Pinto, one of the stars of Euro 2000, will not be coming to St James` Park, however, despite having the ability to succeed at any league in Europe.

"We did not try to sign Joao Pinto when he was released by Benfica," stated Robson.

"I like him but I found that he would not want to come to England. If he did want to come, I have doubts that he could adapt himself here because he is very taken to the root of life in Portugal and Portuguese mentality.

"It surprised me that Benfica let him go."

As regards Eriksson`s appointment as England coach, Robson voiced his displeasure, adding: "All the people in England wanted an English coach.

"In all sides it is like this - in Argentina, the manager is Argentine, in Brazil, a Brazilian, Germany a German, Holland a Dutch etc.

"I think that it is preoccupying and has created a certain general malaise.

"We have excellent coaches in England - Terry Venables is excellent and he was free.

"But the FA did not want him and had a reason for this, but I am unaware of this.

"He would have done a good job. Let us say that it was a political decision and it did not please me.

"Eriksson is an experienced man but it will not be easy for him. He will have to get to know the managers quickly and the English players quickly and, for this, he will need support.

"If he has success, all the people will be satisfied. We have to give this a chance. We have an obligation to help, although it will be a strange situation for a short while."

As for Figo, Robson was stunned by the Portuguese midfielder`s sensational record move to Real Madrid in the summer.

"Figo left for money," opined the former England manager. "But I am certain he would have obtained a fabulous wage at Barcelona.

"Rivaldo obtained a good wage, Luis Enrique also. He did not need to make what he made.

"All people have the right to choose their life but I worked in Barcelona and I know, Figo too, that it is a special club.

"If I was still there, I would have said to him - `Wait, you do not have to go to Real. You can obtain a great contract here.

"How much money do you want? You could not spend all this money. Are you happy?

"Barca and Real are two enemy clubs. It is a war. It was the worse club where Figo could have gone to play."

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2000

Answers

I suppose Shearer going to the Sunders would be much worse - him being a geordie! However imagine if we put a bid in for Kevin Phillips in the future if it ever becomes law for him to walk out on a contract, do you think he would go if like Figo we offered him the right package?mmmmmmmmmmmmm

toon first, toon last..........

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2000