Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: £15million-per-year deal 'agreed in principle'

The Portuguese coach has been heavily linked with Old Trafford since leaving Chelsea in December

Thursday 11 February 2016 09:00

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho

(Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho and Manchester United have reportedly ‘agreed in principle’ a three-year £15million-a-season deal to replace current manager Louis van Gaal.

The Independent on Sunday revealed that the Portuguese coach, who left Chelsea in December, was ‘confident’ of taking over at Old Trafford.

Now, according to report by the Daily Mirror, the two parties have settled on personal terms, with Mourinho keen to make some major changes.

The two-time Champions League-winning head coach apparently wishes to work alongside a director of football, with Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta earmarked to join him in Manchester.

Berta, who is believed to be connected to Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes, would take responsibility for negotiating the recruitment of player, which is currently the remit of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Speculation linking Mourinho with the position at Old Trafford has intensified over recent weeks, particularly since the confirmation of Pep Guardiola’s impending arrival at Manchester City.

Sir Alex Ferguson on Jose Mourinho

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1/13Sir Alex Ferguson on Jose Mourinho

"I think Mourinho has opened a can of worms for himself. We remember what happened in Porto. Look back a couple of weeks to the penalty decision that went their way against Liverpool and how Rafael Benitez handled that. But then Drogba reacted by grabbing Quinton Fortune by the throat, so I wonder whether the FA's compliance unit will be thinking about that."

2005 Manchester United

"I'm trembling. It's good that I know we've lost the game in April, because we can have a rest that weekend. I'll put my reserve team in that day [April 14]. The first team can save their energy for the next game. Hopefully, we'll be 20 points ahead by then!"

2005 Manchester United

"We will only be in trouble if we listen to Jose too much. I won’t be letting the players fall into the trap of thinking it’s won because all we have done is given ourselves a foundation. There are many hurdles to be navigated in the run-in. To win the league, you have to have great consistency, particularly around March and April. Historically, we have done okay at that time of the year."

2006 AFP

"His football club have been involved in so many things about referees over the years. It seems to me that, if you contest something at Chelsea and they don't get their own way, then something happens. Either referees or players are threatened and things like that. It's an incredible club. I think he should button his lip now for the rest of the season. I may be only just beginning because there is plenty for me to talk about with Jose and referees, and Chelsea and referees. I've got a catalogue of them, a big file, in my office if you want me to bring it out. But we'll leave that for another day."

2006 Manchester United

"Mourinho seems to be on some sort of personal crusade. I am surprised no action has been taken. It's calculated. We have four games to go now. If we get a penalty against us, Mourinho wins that war. That is wrong. It is a rant all the time now. I don't think it is fair to the game."

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"It is a disappointment for the game. He was terrific for football and terrific for Chelsea. I enjoyed the competition with him. He was something fresh and new to our game. I don't know what I will do with my wine now. I wish him well."

2007 AFP

"I think that when Jose came that there was a great upsurge in Chelsea's position in the game. It happened suddenly. He came in, he uttered those words, 'I'm the special one,' and it seemed to galvanize the whole club."

2009 Manchester United

"He's at the top, there's no doubt about that. You have certain criteria in terms of top management, and that is longevity of success—which is very difficult today—and what you win. You have to regard his achievements as really first-class."

2013 AFP

“I am great friends with Jose and we often speak about his future. I can understand his desire to come back to England. There is more freedom from media attention for a manager here, you don’t have Marca and the radio programmes at midnight that he gets constantly in Madrid. But it’s a difficult one for me to tell him when this position will become available.”

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"I look at Jose and I see myself reflected in many of the things he does. In the first year at Chelsea when I saw him running along the touchline at Old Trafford, he reminded me of my first years at Aberdeen jumping, raising my arms, celebrating. We're only human. We can't hide our emotions. They're always there, they're part of who we are, of our character."

2013 Manchester United FC

"He can manage anywhere, absolutely. I'm not going to put any forecasts on what is going to happen at this club. I won't last forever, but José can manage anywhere, there is no question about that."I would never think a guy who hasn't played a game could be a top coach but then you've got to look at his personality. He's got a marvellous, strong personality and that bridges that gap. I remember his first press conference [at Chelsea, in 2004] and I thought: 'Christ, he's a cocky bastard, him'. He was telling the players: 'Look, I'm the special one, we don't lose games'. Bloody hell, coming to England, he is only a young man and saying he is the special one! But it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league."

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"It is unfair really. He’s good looking, he’s got that sort of George Clooney bit in his hair now. But I think he is a great example, he can speak five languages or whatever he can. He goes and becomes an interpreter for Bobby Robson, follows him to Barcelona, works under Louis Van Gaal; he is learning all the time. He has got a determination, he wants to be a coach. He never played the game, by the way – you tell me how many presidents would give a manager a job who has never played the game? None. But he has done it. Then he goes and manages a small team in Portugal, then goes to Porto and wins the league, wins the Uefa Cup, wins the European Cup, goes to Chelsea and wins the league. Goes to Inter Milan. That is an example to anyone who wants to do well, you shouldn’t let the barriers get in your way if you want to get there."

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"He has sacked so many coaches... that I am sure he has learned by it. He has to trust and have confidence Jose can turn it around. There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time. He's won the European Cup twice; he's won the league in each country he's managed in, he's won the big trophies. It would be foolish to take that step to sack him. That would be bad management; it's poor leadership, that. It's the first time he's been confronted with non-success. If you look at his whole career it's been nothing but a rise all the time, so for the first time in his life he's had to deal with bad publicity, adversity, and that's a challenge but there are signs he is getting back to a balanced level even though they lost on Saturday... For Jose, all good leaders will eventually find a solution. He will find a solution... It's not looking great at the moment, but I know the guy and work he has done in football and I can't see it lasting long."

2015 Getty Images

While doubts over the former Chelsea manager’s style of play and antagonistic behaviour persist among members of United’s boardroom, there is a growing sense that the club’s hand has been forced by the appointment at the Etihad Stadium.

Van Gaal, whose side currently sits fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind fourth-placed City, has been repeatedly condemned the speculation surrounding his future.

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Mark Ogden - Jose Mourinho 'perfect' for Man Utd

After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, the 64-year-old Dutchman criticised a journalist for broaching the subject, asking: “Why do the club have to deny it when you are creating stories?

“You haven't spoken to Ed Woodward or the Glazers, so you are inventing this story. I don't have to answer this question."

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