Jose Mourinho was warned about signing 'big baby' Romelu Lukaku: Steve Walsh

Former Everton director of football Steve Walsh has stated that he had warned former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho about signing Romelu Lukaku for 75 million pounds in 2017. Walsh further added that he had warned the Red Devils manager about forward's behaviour. While speaking with a local media outlet, Walsh stated that he told Mourinho that Lukaku was a big baby and he had to be careful with him.

'Romelu Lukaku is a big baby'

Walsh said that although Mourinho told him that he could handle the Belgian forward, he was not able to match with the way Lukaku thought, which a manager has to do in order to get him playing in a team. He further added that it was a similarity between Paul Pogba and Lukaku and said that he would have never have picked such players because these two were more about themselves than the team. Steve also said that even though both of them had a lot of qualities, it was not necessary that one would get a good team with both Pogba and Lukaku in it.

Read: Romelu Lukaku Denies Manchester United Boss Ole's Role In His Exit

A short-lived relationship between Mourinho and Lukaku

Jose Mourinho bought Lukaku for 75 million pounds to strengthen United's frontline and made the Belgian striker a regular in the playing Xl before he was sacked in less than 2 years after signing him. The 26-year-old appeared to have lost his touch due to irregular playing time which ultimately resulted in prolonged goal droughts for the striker. Lukaku marked his exit by leaving Manchester United and joining Antoine Conte at Inter Milan.

Read: 'Gentle Giant' Lukaku Thriving At Inter Milan After Man United Flop

'Ole has my respect'

Recently, Lukaku said that current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had his eternal respect as the Norweigian understood his need to leave United. He further said that Ole wanted to keep at Old Trafford but did not stop him when the player made a request to leave. Lukaku went on to score 42 goals in 96 appearances for the Red Devils and has already scored 9 goals in 15 matches for Inter Milan.

Read: Serie A: Lukaku, Sanchez And Other Inter Players On International Duty

An influential figure

Steve Walsh was given the credit for playing a very crucial role in Leicester City's fairytale season that saw them win the Barclays Premier League in 2016 and has also worked with Mourinho during his first managerial spell at Chelsea. Steve was sacked as the director of football at Chelsea in 2018 with Marcel Brands taking over the role after his sacking.

Read: How Man United's Other Top Strikers Were Doing At Romelu Lukaku's Current Age

(With inputs from agencies)