It’s done: Manchester United appoint Jose Mourinho as manager, says Sky Sport News
The 53-year-old Portuguese replaces Dutchman Louis van Gaal whose two-year reign at Old Trafford ended on Monday, but the club is not commenting and has not made a formal announcement
Manchester United have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager, Sky Sports News reported on Thursday.
But Manchester United is not commenting on the report that Mourinho has signed a contract to become the club’s new manager.
The 53-year-old Portuguese replaces Dutchman Louis van Gaal whose two-year reign at Old Trafford ended on Monday, two days after United lifted the FA Cup.
The club hasn’t announced the deal.
If you want action, you bring Mourinho. I believe he is the man to bring them back to the top
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand posted on Facebook his “congratulations to Jose on being announced manager of the biggest club in the world!”
The self-styled “Special One”, Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December, ending his second spell in charge of the London club. He has also managed Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
In Stockholm, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Mourinho would be the manager to bring the Premier League title back to Manchester United.
But the Paris Saint-Germain striker declined to comment on whether he had received an offer to play at the club next season.
Ibrahimovic said he had received offers from the Premier League, Italy and outside Europe but gave no more details. Media reports have linked him with a move to Manchester United because of his friendship with Mourinho.
“I had a fantastic time when I was working with him. If we work again, I don’t know. Let’s see how things work out,” said Ibrahimovic, who spent a season alongside the Portuguese coach at Inter Milan.
“It’s not a hard choice. I know what I want. The future is already written.”
After a trophy-laden career with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Mourinho is set to replace Dutchman Louis van Gaal, who was sacked on Monday, with a remit to bring back the glory days the club once took for granted under Alex Ferguson.
Ibrahimovic is leaving Paris Saint Germain after four years during which he played an integral part in turning the club into a force to be reckoned with on the European stage.
When asked how he would cope physically in the Premier League at the age of 34, he said; “I am just warming up ... The age is just a number. Everything is in your head.”
Additional reporting by Associated Press
