Man United sack Mourinho in bid to turn season round

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Manchester United has sacked manager Jose Mourinho after a dreadful series of results, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Mourinho, 55, became increasingly spiky in his last few months at Old Trafford, lashing out at the board's transfer policy and turning his fire on his squad, especially record signing Paul Pogba.

His constant complaints about the players' lack of desire had an impact on the pitch, culminating in the 3-1 defeat by Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday which left United 19 points behind their opponents.

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect," a club statement said.

Screenshot from Manchester United's official Twitter account

Mourinho's sacking comes just two-and-a-half years into his tenure and three years and a day since Chelsea dismissed him just months after he had guided them to the title.

United's worst start in the league since 1990 means even Mourinho's ambition of finishing in the top four and a Champions League qualification spot is in danger.

The club has reached the Champions League knockout stages, where they face an intimidating last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), but a combination of poor results, dressing-room discord and criticism of the board proved potent factors in the decision to dismiss the Portuguese manager.

'Sad for Jose's leave'

Jose Mourinho (L) and Josep Guardiola (R) gesture in sideline during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium, November 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

Mourinho's old sparring partner Pep Guardiola insisted he took no satisfaction from seeing his rival dismissed.

Guardiola and Mourinho were often at loggerheads during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively but had a more cordial relationship in Manchester.

"When it happens I'm sad for the managers, all the time," Guardiola said after City's League Cup quarter-final win over Leicester.

"We are alone. For the manager, when the situation is not good, we are alone. You know what happens when you are sacked because the results maybe are not good."

"Of course he doesn't need luck because he's so strong and I wish him all the best and soon he is going to come back."

Liverpool manager Klopp mentioned that “Mourinho is a very competitive guy, very ambitious and he has all my respect", following last weekend's victory over Manchester United.

Outstanding candidate

Real Madri CF president Florentino Perez (L) and Zinedine Zidane (R) attend a press conference to announce his resignation as Real Madrid manager, May 31, 2018. /VCG Photo

In the longer term former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has been linked to the club as has his fellow 1998 World Cup-winning team-mate Laurent Blanc, who played for United. Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is also strongly tipped.

One bookmaker makes Pochettino the early favorite although the 46-year-old Argentinian refused to be drawn on the speculation.

"We know a lot of rumors happen. But it's not my business what happens in another club now," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Mourinho's reign had started well enough with the League Cup and the Europa League trophies but for a club that has been champions of England 20 times, neighbors Manchester City's dominance over them in the league has hurt.

Despite his protestations to the contrary, the United board gave Mourinho plenty of money to compete.

Pogba power struggle

Jose Mourinho (3rd, R) talks to Marouane Fellaini (3rd, L) and Paul Pogba (2nd, R) during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Juventus and Manchester United, November 7, 2018. /VCG Photo

The seeds of disharmony were also sown last season. Mourinho routinely dropped the club's most expensive ever signing, 89 million pound (113 million U.S. dollar) midfielder Paul Pogba, to start a power struggle he has ultimately lost.

Mourinho questioned his attitude while the player hit back with open criticism of the tactics, culminating in him kicking his heels on the bench during the Liverpool debacle on Sunday.

Pogba sat on the bench for the full 90 minutes at Anfield on Sunday and has not started any of United's past three league games.

The French World Cup winner was not alone. Mourinho was stinging in his public criticism of Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial among others.

The manager's overall Premier League points haul of 176 since his appointment by United lagged behind City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea during the same period.

Mourinho has always been more pragmatic. But as his previous spells in Madrid and at Stamford Bridge show, when a results-driven manager starts losing, there is nothing left to save his job.

Source(s): AFP