Manchester United have officially unveiled Jose Mourinho as their new manager.
The Portuguese coach, 52, was sacked by Chelsea earlier in the 2015-16 season but has jumped at the chance to get back into Premier League management – replacing Louis van Gaal, whose impact at Old Trafford was deemed unsatisfactory by the Red Devils hierarchy.
Mourinho, 53, has signed a three-year-deal with United and his first port of call will be to assess the current squad and nail down some transfer work prior to this summer’s European Championships in France, where targets’ prices will no doubt rise if they are performing well.
This comes just days after Louis van Gaal guided the Red Devils to their first piece of serious silverware (no, Moyes’ Community Shield doesn’t really count) since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of the 2012-13 season.
United’s new manager agreed personal terms with the club late on Tuesday night but there was a hold-up in the completion of the deal through both Mourinho and the club’s various sponsorship deals – the Portuguese has a contract with Jaguar, whereas United are tied into a deal with General Motors which sees Chevrolet sponsor their kit. There were also watch deals, and casino deals to be negotiated, amongst others. Also, Jose’s image rights belonged to United’s Premier League rivals, Chelsea.
Twitter: We are delighted to announce Jose Mourinho is our new manager! Full statement: https://t.co/PDiHMIWnpd #WelcomeJose https://t.co/eZ8NBSz2up (@ManUtd)
Mourinho has managed Chelsea twice, as well as Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica and Uniao de Leiria. He boasts and impressive trophy haul:
- Portuguese Primeira Liga (2003, 2004), Taca de Portugal (2003), Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (2003)
- UEFA Cup (2003), Champions League (2004, 2010)
- Premier League (2005, 2006, 2013), FA Cup (2007), English League Cup (2005, 2007, 2015), FA Community Shield (2005)
- Serie A (2009, 2010), Coppa Italia (2010), Supercoppa Italia (2008), La Liga (2012), Copa del Rey (2011), Supercopa de Espana (2012)
He has signed a three-year contract, with an option with his salary thought to be around £10 million-a-year, double what he earned at Chelsea.
His personal accolades are also highly commendable, including:
- FIFA World Coach of the Yeart (2010)
- Primeira Liga, Premier League, Serie A Manager of the Year (2003, 2004 – 2005, 2006, 2015 – 2009, 2010)
- UEFA Manager of the Year (2003, 2004)
He acquires a United side desperate to get back to the top of the English – and European – football tree; a disappointing fifth-place finish in this season’s Premier League means the Portuguese manager will have to settle for Europa League football next season, but many see him as the man to get this great club back on track.
