United confirm three-year deal for ‘simply the best’ Mourinho

Jose Mourinho: Tipped to enjoy success at Man Utd

Jose Mourinho: Tipped to enjoy success at Man Utd

Manchester United have officially confirmed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager on a three-year deal with the option of extending his stay into a fourth season.

The club had been linked with the Portuguese coach ever since his dismissal at Chelsea in December, but it wasn’t until rumours that Louis van Gaal had been sacked over the weekend that the reports started to gather pace.

Mourinho, 53, has managed at the top level of European football for over a decade and in that time has won league titles and cups in four countries (Portugal, England, Italy and Spain), as well as winning the Champions League twice – in 2004 with FC Porto and in 2010 with Inter Milan.

Announcing the appointment, Ed Woodward told the club’s official site: “Jose is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward.”

Mourinho added: “To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

“I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.”