Jose Mourinho Has Already Signed Manchester United Contract [Rumors]
It’s been alleged that Jose Mourinho has already signed a contract to become the new Manchester United manager, even though the club aren’t completely sure that they want to Portuguese coach to replace Louis Van Gaal at Old Trafford.
Spanish newspaper El Pais, via Guardian, have reported that even though Jose Mourinho signed the contract to become Manchester United manager last month, the club are still entitled to change their mind. However, if Mourinho isn’t appointed as Manchester United manager by June 1, then he will be paid up to £15 million in compensation, which comes to around $21 million.
El Pais were able to make this report thanks to a source close to Jose Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes. The insider allegedly works for Mendes’ company, Gestifute.
Jose Mourinho has signed a pre-contract agreement to become Man Utd’s next manager
Gossip: https://t.co/RueniRSVBg pic.twitter.com/nPtzi3W2wr
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 19, 2016
The report reads, “If United do not sign the final contract [with Mourinho] before 1 May, they must pay £5m; if by 1 June he’s still not signed they shall pay another £10m. May is the key, because it’s the month in which the vast majority of the signings of players are closed and the plans formed.”
But why are Manchester United caught in two minds over whether to appoint Jose Mourinho? Well, El Pais went on to add that senior figures at Old Trafford, which include Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, are still undecided about whether or not Jose Mourinho and his abrasive style of management are suited to the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, following Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over their cross-city rivals, Manchester City, which left them just a point behind the Citizens in their quest to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League, means that there is still a chance United might decide to stick with Louis Van Gaal.
The Dutch manager has had a woeful sophomore year in control at Old Trafford, as he has watched his side fail to compete for the Premier League title, show inconsistent form in the league, and get knocked out of the League Cup, Champions League, and Europa League in dire circumstances, with their only chance of silverware being the FA Cup.
However, if Manchester United can qualify for the Champions League, then there’s still a chance that the club’s officials will allow Louis Van Gaal to see out the remaining year of his contract.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, which was decided by Marcus Rashford’s 16th minute strike, Louis Van Gaal admitted that his side now have a huge chance of landing a top-four spot.
Marcus Rashford strike gives Manchester United derby win over City @DTguardian https://t.co/rGbP85RRAk (Reuters) pic.twitter.com/Pl1wyvPK6g
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) March 20, 2016
Manchester United are still only in sixth place, but they’re now level on points with West Ham United and are just one behind Manchester City. The United boss insisted, “The gap would have been too big if we had drawn or lost. It would have been very difficult.”
“Now it is in our own hands, but we have to win our games, “Van Gaal continued. “We have more home matches than away, and we don’t lose so much at Old Trafford — so we have a big chance.”
Speaking about United’s performance, which came just a few days after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Liverpool, Van Gaal added, “I thought we played fantastic in the first half and the second half was a test of survival because we were very tired. We had only two days to recover after the Liverpool game, and that is almost not possible.”
[Image via Getty/Clive Rose]
