Mourinho: Europa League win better than top-4 finish

Jose Mourinho added a Europa League title to his resume on Wednesday and was perfectly delighted with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Ajax, one that sees the Red Devils through to next season's Champions League despite finishing sixth in the Premier League this year.

In fact, Mourinho said he actually preferred this route of qualification.

"It's the end of a very difficult season, but I think a very, very good season," Mourinho said after the match. "We prefer this way than fourth, than finish third, than finish second. We prefer this way. We got the objective of going back to the Champions League, but winning a title."

His tune has certainly changed since 2013, when Mourinho said he did not want to win the Europa League, remarking it would be "a big disappointment" in opposition to the importance Rafa Benitez placed on it during his time at Chelsea. He doesn't feel that way any longer, it seems.

"(It's) an important title, a title that closes the lot," Mourinho said. "The club is now a club with every title in world football. And we are very happy because we fought very hard for this since the very beginning."

The Portuguese tactician was once again subjected to a line of questioning regarding his tactics, and the defensive stance he took in order to clinch the title. In response, Mourinho offered: "There are lots of poets in football, but poets? They don't win many titles."

In any case, Mourinho's long, tumultuous first season at the United helm - one that saw his injury-ravaged side play more than 50 matches and travel over 14,000 miles - has now come to a close. And with it, Mourinho is taking a much-needed break.

"Now is a selfish perspective. I am on holidays," Mourinho offered. "I don't want to know about football. I don't want to see friendly matches, international teams, anything. I am on holidays. I'm sorry. In this moment, I am selfish. The players, they go to the national team for two more matches - I can't do it. For me, enough is enough.

"It was very hard to organize these last couple of months without important players, without numbers.

"I am very happy with the players in probably my most difficult season as a manager."