Manchester United will finally announce the appointment Jose Mourinho on a three-year contract, convinced they have found the man who can send the club back to the top of English and European football.
As the biggest names in world football lined up to back Mourinho to restore United to former glories after three troubled years following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the Portuguese was busy choosing the words that will accompany a statement to confirm his eagerly-anticipated return to management, 162 days after his sacking at Chelsea.
Whether loved, hated, devil or angel, there is unlikely to be a quiet moment with Mourinho at the Old Trafford helm. United fans will hope he brings trophies and entertainment. They can probably expect a lot of noise, too.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who worked under Mourinho at Real Madrid, believes his compatriot will enable United to rediscover the identity they lost under Louis van Gaal and David Moyes.
And Mourinho is likely to make an immediate statement of intent in the transfer market with the capture of Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who admitted on Thursday that he had already made a decision on his future and would relish the prospect of a reunion with the 53-year-old, under whom he won an Italian title at Inter Milan.
“The future is written,” said Ibrahimovic, who is a free agent after leaving Paris St-Germain. “I made my choice a long time ago. I just have to push the button.”
Asked specifically about the prospect of joining United, Ibrahimovic smiled and said: “Let’s see what happens” but he was more forthcoming on his belief that Mourinho would transform United’s fortunes.
“I think it’s a great move [by United] - you want action, you bring in Mourinho,” the 34-year-old said. “I believe he is the man to bring them back to the top, yes. Wherever he went, he won, so he knows what he is doing.
“I had a fantastic time when I was working with him [at Inter]. When I left Inter I said we had a short and great time but we had a great time. If we will work together again … I don’t know. Let’s see how things play out.
“I’ve been speaking with him every day since I left Inter, so there is no secret. I have a great relationship with Mourinho and we are in contact, but not in the last weeks.”
Mourinho’s appointment at Old Trafford will see him renew his bitter rivalry with former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, Pep Guardiola, who begins work at Manchester City on Wednesday, a grudge match that could prove one of the stories of next season.
But talk of Mourinho’s arrival in Manchester had been building for months, with United reaching an agreement in principle as far back as February that guaranteed the Portuguese the job in the event Van Gaal was sacked.
Having been informed of his dismissal at his home in Bowdon, Cheshire on Sunday night by Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, Van Gaal requested that the club did not publicly confirm the news until 24 hours later to give him time to leave the country.
United and Mourinho’s representatives, as well as lawyers from both parties, have been locked in talks in the past few days to iron out the final details of his £12 million a year contract.
One minor sticking point was the potential conflict of interest between Mourinho’s personal car, watch and casino endorsements and those of the club but the manager has retained all of his image rights and all negotiations have been successfully concluded. Despite widespread reports about Chelsea still owning the trademark to Mourinho’s name, it is understood that the Portuguese retrieved those rights.
United are now planning the statements and press releases that will accompany official confirmation of the appointment. The club will not have to wait until the New York Stock Exchange opens at 2.30pm UK time today (FRI) to announce the appointment as such restrictions do not apply but they can if they wish.
Despite being the most high profile clients of agent Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo and Mourinho did not always see eye-to-eye at Real but the Portugal forward back his former manager to be a hit at his old club.
“He [Mourinho] has already signed, hasn’t he?” Ronaldo said. “I think it’s good. If it’s something United wanted, I think it’s good.
“I hope United get back to being what they were because it’s an impressive club but in the last years they lacked an identity a bit. And it hurts me seeing United like that because it’s a club I carry in my heart. I wish Mourinho can restore them back to the top.”
United remain eager to re-sign Ronaldo, but with no Champions League football at Old Trafford, that may prove difficult this summer, even if Real could be tempted to sell with a huge offer for the 31-year-old. Ronaldo, who has two years left on his contract, has little interest in a move to PSG given the French league’s shortcomings and would favour a return to the Premier League with United if he did leave the Bernabeu. He still owns a house in Cheshire, which he rents out.
“Right now, yes I am happy and want to stay at this club,” Ronaldo said. “I don’t see any other club that is better than Real Madrid.”
Ibrahimovic is expected at United this summer, though, and believes he would have plenty to still offer having scored 50 goals for PSG last season. “I don’t give guarantees but I said there are concrete offers from the Premier League so let’s see what happens,” he said. “I am only warming up.
“I had a fantastic season [at PSG] so I have proven that age is just a number. Everything is in your head. Whatever you want to do, you will do it. It’s a mind game. If I want to make it I will. If I want to do it I will do it.”
Telegraph
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