Jose Mourinho will be appointed Manchester United manager next week to replace Louis van Gaal despite Saturday’s FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace, British media reports.
The Mirror reports that the deal has been finally sealed after much speculations over the Old Trafford job, with the 53-year-old Portuguese set to dislodge the Dutchman who still has a year left on his contract.
Mirror reports that the deal to bring Mourinho to Old Trafford was reached at the end of last week with an official announcement due in the next few days, although some senior executives at the club still voiced last minute reservations about the controversial Portuguese.
Van Gaal has been under criticism much of the campaign for his turgid style of play that brought only 49 goals in the Premier League their lowest total since 1989-90 and saw them miss out on the Champions League to fierce rivals Manchester City on goals difference.
Asked about his future at a news conference after the final, the Dutchman pointed at the FA Cup in front of him.
“I show you the Cup,” he said. “And I don’t discuss it with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months. Which manager can do what I have done? I don’t want to talk about leaving the club.”
Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December after a terrible defence to their title and he’s also won titles at previous clubs FC Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.