Manchester United have sacked manager Jose Mourinho after their worst start to a season in almost 30 years, the club said yesterday.
The 55-year-old Portuguese’s last match in charge was the 3-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, which left them 19 points behind their opponents.
Mourinho’s sacking comes just two-and-a-half years into his tenure and three years and a day since Chelsea sacked him just months after he had guided them to the title.
Former player Michael Carrick was to take charge of training before an interim boss is appointed.
Aside from results, Mourinho was also relieved of his duties due to a transfer spend of about £400 million (US$508 million) on 11 players that the club has insisted were all the Portuguese’s choice.
In addition to disquiet regarding the side’s stultifying style, there was further disappointment at Mourinho’s development of United’s younger players.
A United source said that Mourinho had been supported in his efforts to sign players and described reports of player power as being key to the sacking as wide of the mark.
United would pay Mourinho “no more than £15 million” to sever ties, British media reported.
Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has been linked to the club and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino could also be considered.
One bookmaker made Pochettino the early favorite and the 46-year-old Argentine is also former United fullback Gary Neville’s favored option.
“They need someone who meets the three key principles of that football club: the promotion of youth, entertaining football and to win football matches,” Neville told Sky Sports News.
Mourinho’s reign had started well enough with the EFL Cup and the Europa League trophies, but for a club who have been champions of England 20 times, Manchester City’s dominance has hurt.
However, despite his protestations to the contrary, the United board gave Mourinho plenty of money to compete.
Players such as Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku — who he last year persuaded to sign for United for £75 million — and Paul Pogba for a then-world record fee of £89 million in 2016 have floundered under his authoritarian stewardship.
Indeed it was his deteriorating relationship with Pogba that symbolized the decline at the club.
Andy Mitten, editor of fanzine United We Stand, told BBC Radio that neither the players nor the fans would miss Mourinho.
“We’ve been doing polls where 80 percent of fans wanted him to leave,” Mitten said. “He had a very good first season, an acceptable second season, but this season has been a disaster.”
Additional reporting by the Guardian
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely