Jose Mourinho: Six-year-old sends Chelsea manager letter asking if he can become Aston Villa boss - 'The Special One' responds

Young Jude Branson didn't get his wish, but he did get a signed photograph

Jose Mourinho has responded to a request to become Aston Villa manager (GLYN KIRK | AFP | Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has responded to a young Aston Villa fan's letter asking if could come and manage the struggling west Midlanders.

Chelsea lead the Premier League by seven points and Villa have just slipped into the relegation zone, after which they sacked manager Paul Lambert.

Six-year-old Villa fan Jude Branson sent 'The Special One' a hand-written letter last week, before Lambert's dismissal, writing:

"Dear Mr Mourinho, My name is Jude. I am 6 years old and I support Aston Villa.

"You are my favourite manager.

"Please could you manage Villa and bring Costa with you?

"We need help.

"Thank you Jude Branson."

Little Jude's father, Phil, says that while he did not get his wish, he did get a signed photograph from Mourinho.

"Jude had a nice surprise today when he came back home from school to find that Jose had sent him a signed picture addressed to himself," Phil told the Birmingham Mail.

"The only thing he wanted from his letter was Mourinho to take over at Villa.

Young Jude and his letter to Jose Mourinho (birminghammail.co.uk)

"He he didn't get that! So the next best thing for him is definitely this acknowledgement from the man himself.

"It'll be framed and put on his bedroom wall. It's good to know that his letter was read and maybe even planted the seed in his head which will lead him to the Villa job one day. This is an excellent way to end a brilliant few days for Jude."