The Spanish newspaper El Pais has reported that Jose Mourinho has signed a pre-contract to take over as manager of Manchester United.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Spanish newspaper El Pais has reported that Jose Mourinho signed a pre-contract in February to take over as manager of Manchester United in place of Louis van Gaal at the end of the season
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach has been persistently linked in the media with the Old Trafford job since departing Stamford Bridge for the second time in December.
Citing sources close to the Portuguese Mourinho, El Pais says under the terms of the agreement, United would have to pay Mourinho NZ$10.6 million if they don't offer him a full contract by May 1st and another NZ$21.2 million if they fail to give him the job by June 1.
Van Gaal signed a three-year contract in May 2014 but is not expected to see out the deal with fans unhappy with the style of play and the club in sixth place in the Premier League going into Monday's Manchester derby.
The report, which cited a source with links to the company run by Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes, said United wanted a flexible deal because of a split in the Old Trafford board as to whether the 53-year-old was the right choice for the club.
-AAP
