London: Louis van Gaal’s sacking as Manchester United manager was finally confirmed yesterday as Jose Mourinho prepared to take charge at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal had appeared certain to lose his job since reports leaked out after United’s FA Cup final victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday that former Chelsea boss Mourinho was being lined up to replace him.
The 64-year-old had hoped leading United to their first major silverware since the retirement of legendary boss Alex Ferguson in 2013 would persuade the club’s United States-based owners, the Glazer family, to let him see out the final season of his three-year contract with the Premier League club.
But United’s failure to qualify for the lucrative Champions League proved fatal to van Gaal’s chances of survival.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss had lost the backing of many members of the United squad, who were unhappy with his rigid playing style and criticism of their mistakes, while sections of the club’s fanbase had taken to jeering him as they grew increasingly frustrated with the team’s conservative tactics.
Van Gaal felt he was hard done by after United suffered injuries to several key players and he couldn’t hide his anguish at his premature exit.
“I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three year plan,” van Gaal said in a statement released by United.
“It has been an honour to manage such a magnificent club as Manchester United, and in doing so, I have fulfilled a long held ambition.
“I believe that the foundations are firmly in place to enable the club to move forward and achieve even greater success.”
United’s statement added “a decision on a successor as manager will be announced soon” as executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward praised van Gaal’s efforts.
After reportedly learning of his imminent sacking from his wife Truus immediately after the FA Cup final, van Gaal was driven into United’s training ground at 10.45am Bahrain time yesterday with the football world expecting his departure to be announced quickly.
But 45 minutes after his arrival, League Managers Association lawyer Paul Gilroy QC also arrived at Carrington to start the lengthy process of discussing a settlement for van Gaal, who earned a reported £6.4 million per year ($9.2m).
Van Gaal was eventually confirmed at 10.30pm Bahrain time, clearing the way for Mourinho to fulfil his long-held ambition of managing United. Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes is believed to be arriving in Manchester today to tie up the deal for his client.