Louis van Gaal has been sacked as manager of Manchester United, several British media outlets reported yesterday, amid speculation he is to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Both Van Gaal and leading employment lawyer Paul Gilroy were seen entering United’s Carrington training ground yesterday.
Gilroy’s clients have included David Moyes, whose sacking as United manager paved the way for Van Gaal’s appointment.
At press time last night, there had has a yet been no official confirmation from United, the 20-time English champions, about the position of Van Gaal, who still has a season remaining on his three-year contract.
British media have been awash with reports of Van Gaal’s demise, after a leak from an unknown source spread as Manchester United lifted the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Dutchman cryptically commented: “It’s over” as he left the squad’s hotel on Sunday, but it was not clear whether he was referring to his tenure or United’s season.
The BBC said Van Gaal had not been informed whether he was staying for next season, although it said Saturday’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in London was believed to have been his last game in charge of United.
Van Gaal himself was defiant after Saturday’s final.
“I show you the cup and I don’t discuss it with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months,” the 64-year-old said. “Which manager can do that, what I have done?”
Despite winning their first trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Van Gaal’s United did not challenge for the English Premier League title and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Fans were also unhappy with the brand of soccer their team played under Van Gaal.
United scored just 49 league goals this season, their lowest return for 26 years, and many supporters felt Van Gaal’s approach ran counter to the club’s traditional attacking style.
Mourinho saw his second spell as Chelsea manager end with the sack in December last year after last season’s champions made a miserable start to the their Premier League title defense.
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