Louis van Gaal sacked: Watch his final press conference as Manchester United manager

Van Gaal faced the media for the final time as United manager following the FA Cup final success

Louis van Gaal has been sacked as manager of Manchester United with Jose Mourinho poised to take over, the Independent understands.

Van Gaal has seen jubilation turn to despair in under 48 hours, with the Dutchman all smiles on Saturday night as United won the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years. No sooner had Van Gaal ended United’s mini-trophy drought – stemming back to since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 – than he was being informed of reports that we was about to lose his job, with Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, expected in Manchester on Tuesday to finalise a deal.

Van Gaal’s smile understandably disappeared, and as he attempted to bask in the glory of winning the FA Cup for the 12th time in United’s illustrious history, there was an air of resignation about his Wembley departure despite him telling the media that they would have to “wait and see” if he would remain United manager next season.

With the Dutchman’s contract terminated a year early, United will have to shell out £5.4m in compensation, although that will be nothing compared to the money United will lose by not competing in the Champions league next season after Van Gaal could not lead the side to a top-four finish.

Mourinho’s post-match press conference on Saturday was possibly the happiest that the 64-year-old has been during his testing two-year reign at Old Trafford, and as he took the FA Cup with him upon his departure, he left one parting gift for the journalists in the room in the form of a tongue-in-cheek quip.

“Thank you for your congratulations”, Van Gaal said, knowing that he has been fighting an uphill battle all season with the media.

Watch the video above.