Mourinho set for three-year deal – with Ibrahimovic his first signing
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Van Gaal, 64, was dismissed by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in
a morning meeting at the club‘s Carrington training ground, with a
€6.5million pay-off covering the remaining 12 months of his contract,
after failing to secure Champions League football for the club following
a fifth-place Premier League finish.
And it is understood that the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern
Munich coach would have lost his job, even with a top four finish, due
to the United hierarchy being made aware in recent weeks of the
dressing-room disharmony that had seen Van Gaal lose the support of the
club’s leading players.
United finally confirmed Van Gaal’s departure at 8.30 last night with a statement from Woodward.
United finally confirmed Van Gaal’s departure at 8.30 last night with a statement from Woodward.
“I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work
in the past two years culminating in winning a record equalling 12th FA
Cup for the Club (and securing him a title in four different
countries),” Woodward said.
“He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here.
“He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here.
“He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the
confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the
Club wishes him all the best in the future.”
Van Gaal, meanwhile, issued a diplomatic statement, thanking the club for the opportunity to manage in the Premier League, before expressing his regret at the cutting short of his three-year contract.
Van Gaal, meanwhile, issued a diplomatic statement, thanking the club for the opportunity to manage in the Premier League, before expressing his regret at the cutting short of his three-year contract.
“I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three
year plan,” Van Gaal said. “I believe that the foundations are firmly in
place to enable the Club to move forward and achieve even greater
success.
“I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the Club a platform to build upon next season to restore the success that this passionate set of fans desire.
“I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the Club a platform to build upon next season to restore the success that this passionate set of fans desire.
“Having managed in Holland, Spain and Germany, I had always hoped for
the opportunity to manage in English football and be part of English
culture. Both of these experiences have lived up to expectations and
been fantastic.
“Finally, my special thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and my family feel so welcome throughout my time as Manchester United manager.”
“Finally, my special thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and my family feel so welcome throughout my time as Manchester United manager.”
Van Gaal’s backroom team, including coach Albert Stuivenberg,
goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek and video analyst Max Reckers, have also
been sacked by United, but Ryan Giggs, Van Gaal’s assistant, is
considering a role to remain at the club under Mourinho.
United have moved to hire Mourinho as Van Gaal’s replacement, six months on from the 53-year-old’s dismissal as Chelsea manager.
United have moved to hire Mourinho as Van Gaal’s replacement, six months on from the 53-year-old’s dismissal as Chelsea manager.
The Portuguese will be handed a three-year contract at Old Trafford,
with the expectation that he will restore United to the Champions League
next season and regain the Premier League title during his tenure.
Mourinho’s first game in charge will be a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on July 22 – three days before United face Manchester City in Pep Guardiola’s first game in charge of their neighbours in Beijing.
Mourinho’s first game in charge will be a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on July 22 – three days before United face Manchester City in Pep Guardiola’s first game in charge of their neighbours in Beijing.
United could also introduce Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the
tour of China with the club understood to be close to securing the out
of contract Paris Saint-Germain player on a one-year deal as Mourinho’s
first signing.
Van Gaal’s departure, while no surprise, proved a drawn out process, with the former Holland coach spending eight hours at Carrington resolving his severance and that of his coaches.
The outgoing United manager arrived at Carrington at 8.45am, shortly followed by employment lawyer Paul Gilroy QC, before meeting Woodward and being informed of his dismissal.
Van Gaal’s departure, while no surprise, proved a drawn out process, with the former Holland coach spending eight hours at Carrington resolving his severance and that of his coaches.
The outgoing United manager arrived at Carrington at 8.45am, shortly followed by employment lawyer Paul Gilroy QC, before meeting Woodward and being informed of his dismissal.
Van Gaal subsequently remained at the training ground until leaving
at 4.55pm, with the lengthy discussions preventing United from issuing a
statement confirming his dismissal prior to the opening of the New York
Stock Exchange at 1pm.
While Van Gaal was regarded as ‘hard work’ by many of his players, he was a popular figure with many of the club’s staff who personally wished him well during his final day at Carrington.
Having insisted United would he his last job in management after arriving as successor to David Moyes in July 2014, Van Gaal is now expected to retire to his holiday home in Vale do Lobo – a resort he describes as his ‘Portuguese Paradise.’
While Van Gaal was regarded as ‘hard work’ by many of his players, he was a popular figure with many of the club’s staff who personally wished him well during his final day at Carrington.
Having insisted United would he his last job in management after arriving as successor to David Moyes in July 2014, Van Gaal is now expected to retire to his holiday home in Vale do Lobo – a resort he describes as his ‘Portuguese Paradise.’
Mourinho’s imminent arrival has led to apprehension among staff at
United, however, who fear the former Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and
Inter Milan coach’s destructive reputation could lead to further
upheaval at the club.
United’s owners, the Glazer family, have turned to Mourinho, despite misgivings from some members of the football board, due to the determination to restore the club to the summit of the game and revive the success of the Alex Ferguson era.
Talks are planned today with Mourinho’s representative, Jorge Mendes, although confirmation of his appointment is likely to be a formality.
United’s owners, the Glazer family, have turned to Mourinho, despite misgivings from some members of the football board, due to the determination to restore the club to the summit of the game and revive the success of the Alex Ferguson era.
Talks are planned today with Mourinho’s representative, Jorge Mendes, although confirmation of his appointment is likely to be a formality.
One of Mourinho’s first tasks will be to resolve the future of
midfielder Michael Carrick, who has yet to be told whether he will be
handed a new contract to replace his existing deal, which expires at the
end of next month. (© Independent News Service)