“Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect,” a statement read.
“The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.
The 55-year-old was sacked on Tuesday morning after he and his squad had a day off following the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward delivered the news personally at Carrington shortly after 9am.
Mourinho took over from Louis van Gaal who was not having the smoothest ride at the club back then in the summer of 2016.
He was tasked with leading the 20-time English champions back to the top of the domestic game after a barren three years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment.
The beginning of his career at Man United was promising, but things later changed dramatically.
The decision to sack Mourinho, which will cost more than £18m, has been taken in the long-term interests of United with a view that the club is bigger than any one individual.
Reasons Man United Sacked Jose Mourinho
- The club have made a change after no progress with results or style despite spending nearly £400m on 11 players.
- They also say the new manager will understand the philosophy of the club, including their attacking tradition.
- It is understood players and staff are not happy after a disappointing and unsettling period during which young players were not developed.
- United are sixth in the Premier League, but closer in terms of points to the relegation zone than to leaders Liverpool, who beat them 3-1 on Sunday.
- One of the deepest reasons behind yesterdays decision, is that the insiders are adamant that no-one is bigger than the club and for the long term prospects of United, Mourinho simply had to go.
- Mourinho is understood to have wanted his own structure, but the new manager will be appointed with a head of football above him reporting to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
A United statement said: “A caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the season while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.
The club hope to appoint a caretaker manager before they face Cardiff City on 22 December but it will not be assistant manager Michael Carrick or academy boss Nicky Butt.
The club is looking to hire a new manager from outside the club, but is definitely not Arsene Wenger, former Arsenal manager.
Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino are among favorites that could replace sacked Jose Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho’s United signings and cost
During his time at United, he signed 11 players for a total of £358.8m.
Sacking Jose mourinho seemed to be the only choice left to Man UTD, with their lowly Premier League position just one factor in the decision.
The Portuguese leaves with the club in sixth place – 19 points adrift of leaders Liverpool and 11 off the Champions League positions.
United’s hierarchy are understood to have been bitterly disappointed by the style of football, as well as the results.
They insist Mourinho was provided with ample financial backing, to the tune of around £400m, and expected more progress on the pitch.
Insiders also insist Mourinho personally chose every player brought in during his time in charge at Old Trafford, despite his repeated complaints about the club’s transfer strategy.
Reports of dressing room unrest have overshadowed Man Utd’s performances over the course of the season, with Mourinho’s relationship with club-record signing Paul Pogba a constant talking point.
Do you have any reactions to the news? what do you think the future holds for jose mourinho and do you think Man u still stands any chance?
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