Jose Mourinho’s contract with Manchester United is a ‘done deal’, according to reports. Reliable sources in Spain have claimed that the Portuguese manager will take over from Louis van Gaal at the end of the season and has signed a three year deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2019.
According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendez, is in the final stages of wrapping up the contract, as he deals with the ‘maze of clauses’ that have been inserted into the Portuguese manager’s contract. The deal will reportedly net Mourinho approximately €20 million a year, a staggering amout when compared with his peers, and that of the incumbent Louis van Gaal, who alledgedly makes only a quarter of that amount.
The Dutchman was rather prickly in his most recent press conference, as he took umbrage at the constant speculation surrounding his job, saying “Why does the club have to deny it when you are creating stories? You have not spoken to Ed Woodward, nor with the Glazers.” However, which so much smoke around Mourinho’s candidature, perhaps there is smoke to this fire.
Mourinho has told friends about United job
In addition, Jose Mourinho has reportedly confirmed the news about his United appoinment to close family and friends. The Portuguese star has made no secret of his desire for the United job, as he allegedly wrote a six page ‘love letter’ to Manchester United outlining his suitability for the role, following his sacking by Chelsea earlier this season.
United are apparently keen on a big name managerial signing following the announcement of the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager of Manchester City. The rumour mill immediately sprung into action following the announcement, but Mourinho remained silent when quizzed about the possibility of taking over at Old Trafford.
El Confidencial’s assertion that Mourinho has the deal lined up, coupled with the news breaking from highly reliable Italian journalist Alessandro Alciato have made this a rumour that deserves the attention it gets. With Louis van Gaal’s United having their upswing in form stalled by a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, there is enough pressure on the Dutchman to suggest that he will retire a year early than when his contract runs out in 2017.
Increasingly, it looks like it is only a matter of time before Jose Mourinho occupies the home section of the Old Trafford dugout.