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Mourinho edges closer to Manchester United job as rumours intensify

The ex-Chelsea boss has held talks about replacing Louis van Gaal this summer.

JOSE MOURINHO HAS held talks with Manchester United about becoming the club’s next manager, according to reports from the BBC and others.

The 53-year-old has been heavily linked with the United job ever since his sacking as Chelsea coach in December.

Mourinho’s sudden availability has coincided with a difficult spell for his former mentor Louis van Gaal with United suffering through a miserable December.

The Dutchman responded angrily to claims he tendered his resignation to the club’s CEO Ed Woodward following a loss to Stoke City on 26th December and again after a 1-0 defeat to Southampton earlier this month.

In recent weeks, things have improved with successive wins over Derby and Stoke though reports suggest he will leave United twelve months ahead of schedule, paving the way for Mourinho to become the club’s third manager in three years.

With crosstown rivals Manchester City announcing that Pep Guardiola would be installed as their new manager this summer, it would appear that United’s hand has been forced into pondering a move for the volatile, controversial but immensely successful Portuguese.

However, Mourinho was overlooked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor in 2013 and it remains the case that some of United’s top brass still have reservations about the self-christened Special One’s approach to management, particularly his relentless run-ins and his lack of interest in promoting young players.

But, United seem to have little wiggle room. With City having pieced together a long-term strategy for securing Guardiola, the red side of Manchester are preparing for yet another transition and by default rather than design.

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44 Comments
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    Mute Brendan Byrne
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    Feb 5th 2016, 11:47 PM

    That guy selling the scarves has just ordered another 10,000

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Feb 6th 2016, 12:49 AM

    For his sake he will spell United correctly in the next batch

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Feb 5th 2016, 11:38 PM

    Pep’s decision forced Utd’s hand.

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    D H
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    Mute D H
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:02 AM

    Jog on jose you toxic pr!ck

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:30 AM

    Klopp is devastated thinking jesus I had the option of United, real, man city Chelsea and I choose this useless shower of hoors just to get back working again the holy grail of bayern and he’s stuc.k in a midtable dogfight with these useless kaunt s .

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:34 AM

    Have a Kit-Kat Paul.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:04 AM

    Jeez Paul, I will not say anything, fear it may stay with me for life, but you need to get help.

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 6th 2016, 8:06 AM

    Paul how did you manage to turn an article about Jose and United into one about klopp and Liverpool you’re a funny wee man

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Feb 6th 2016, 8:23 AM

    beacuse if his timing wasn’t all wrong he might have been a contender for one of the plum jobs alan .

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 6th 2016, 8:34 AM

    If they do go with Jose it shows just how desperate United have got

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Feb 6th 2016, 8:51 AM

    how would appointing one of the most successful managers in the modern era be seen as an act of desperation it would be desperate if a top club didn’t look to appoint such a manager when he becomes available alan

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 6th 2016, 9:04 AM

    Well then why was he overlooked when Moyes got the job?it was obvious to everyone he wanted the job and even United supporters said they didn’t want him at the club cos he caused to much controversy and that wasn’t the United “way”.jose never lasts more than 3seasons at a club he may bring short term success but look at Chelsea x2 times Madrid and porto after he left them

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Feb 6th 2016, 10:53 AM

    you asked me a question I have no answer to why he wasn’t appointed instead of moyes now that he is available I would be amazed if they did not try to appoint him this time around as for him as a person he is a tosser but you cannot argue with his record the top teams don’t care for this project nonsense it’s all about success beacuse that’s what generates income alan.

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    Mute Mark Nugent
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    Feb 6th 2016, 12:19 PM

    The fact is I think the PL themselves are secretly pushing this as well as the media. Think of the extra revenue that would be generated having Pep, Jose Klopp, who ever chelsea get from pellegrini, Simione, Allegri etc all in the one league !!

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:09 PM

    good angle mark you could be right.

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    Mute Sean Minogue
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    Feb 5th 2016, 11:40 PM

    I hope this isn’t true. Leave lvg alone and give him some time.

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    Mute Coco Beware
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    Feb 5th 2016, 11:43 PM

    For all his antics Mourinho is still the best manager in the game currently

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 6th 2016, 12:23 AM

    He’s not in the game currently

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    Mute Alan Bailey
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    Feb 5th 2016, 11:51 PM

    They deserve eachother

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    Mute Iarla Mac
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    Feb 6th 2016, 12:54 AM

    This is only a short term solution. Jose Mourinho will win Man Utd a premier league within 2-3 years then will go. If Man Utd want a that kind of manager he’s perfect. If they want a long term solution, I’d love to see Pochettino. But still, Utd don’t have a good enough squad. Big changes coming this summer

    23
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    Mute Dave Hegarty
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:21 AM

    I think long term managers are a thing of the past. All top clubs strive for instant success on field with the associated commercial success off field. There’s only so many top drawer teams and top drawer managers. Unfortunately man United’s ethos will have to change with the times to succeed in the immediate future.

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:24 AM

    The days of a manager staying a long time at one big club are over Iarla. Wenger is the last of a dying breed. If you look at the more successful clubs in Europe since 2010 (clubs who have won CL during this time) Real Madrid have had at least 4 managers, Bayern are heading for their third this summer, Barcelona have had at least 2 and I’ve lost count of the number of managers Chelsea had. Point is, even almost instant success like Ancelotti had for example does not guarantee that a manager will keep his job for more than 3 years.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:06 AM

    Sloop, I gave been told Man Utd will spend there way to success, while Man City and Chelsea will sit idle…..

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    Mute Iano Casino
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:08 AM

    I really like Poch. It’s a good call. He’s shown great progression, knows the PL, and by all accounts isn’t a knob.

    Would take him at OT.

    15
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    Mute Anton O Ceallaigh
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:44 AM

    I’m a united fan and although Jose would be a good manager for united and would probably be a success in the short term. I believe the manager they should go for is Diego Simone of ath Madrid. I think if given a couple of years he could be a long term manager, who will bring success back to the club. He also gets the very best of of players who aren’t world class which applies to a lot of this Manchester side.

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:39 AM

    As a fellow United fan I’m not sure Simeone is right for United. His antics at times are disgraceful and the carry on of his teams leaves a lot to be desired.

    He was a maggot as a player and is turning out to be the same as a manager.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:08 AM

    Still, with a fraction of what Barcelona and Real have, he competes…..

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    Mute That's Bo!!ox
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    Feb 6th 2016, 7:53 AM

    “His antics at times are disgraceful and the carry on of his teams leaves a lot to be desired”
    Are you looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses? That’s Ferguson and his teams in a nutshell.

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Feb 6th 2016, 9:32 AM

    The main issue I would have with Simeone is that he doesn’t speak English. With the exception of Pochatina, this has always been a problem with Argentinians as English is not their second language. Remember Tevez was in PL for many years but still spoke through an interpreter. Rojo is the same now 18 months after signing. If a manager can’t be understood by his players or has to speak to them through an interpreter then it’s a waste of time.

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 6th 2016, 12:01 PM

    @thatsbo!!ox. If that was the case, how is it that Ferguson’s teams year in year out were always near the top with regards to least bookings/red cards?

    Do a bit of research before you make bold statements.

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    Mute keefe
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:03 AM

    Mark Hughes worth a shout? Arrogant players like shaquiri and arnautovic r playing well maybe he can turn Memphis around

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    Mute AlexOlsenRox
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:11 AM

    Nope

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    Mute Fr. Billy O'Dwyer
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:21 AM

    He doesn’t perform brain transplants though. Memphis is another Nani, more interested in the 100/1 shot from 30 yards than the sensible cross to someone who actually has a chance of scoring.

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:30 AM

    Billy, for the money he cost, Memphis has been a major disappointment. A lot of it seem a to be down to a cocky and arrogant attitude. It will take a very strong Willesden manager to knock this out of him and help him fulfil his potential. I would have thought that LVG was such a manager but he has turned out to be an even bigger flop.

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:31 AM

    *strong willed (bloody predictive text) !!!

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:07 AM

    Turn it off.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:07 AM

    Willesden is a word?

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Feb 6th 2016, 9:39 AM

    The problem with Jose going to United is that in every other club he managed he was wanted by everyone in the club. Straight away in United that will not be the case, half the club won’t want him and will be gunning for him see l straight away (Charlton). I would end in tears and maybe not even a tittle, City will back Pep.

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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Feb 6th 2016, 10:44 AM

    While the style of play and his antics are a concern, you can’t argue with this roll of honour.

    Porto
    Primeira Liga: 2002–03, 2003–04
    Taça de Portugal: 2002–03
    Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2003
    UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
    UEFA Cup: 2002–03
    Chelsea
    Premier League: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15
    FA Cup: 2006–07
    Football League Cup: 2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15
    FA Community Shield: 2005

    José Mourinho on the touchline against Leicester City in August 2014
    Inter Milan
    Serie A: 2008–09, 2009–10
    Coppa Italia: 2009–10
    Supercoppa Italiana: 2008
    UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
    Real Madrid
    La Liga: 2011–12
    Copa del Rey: 2010–11
    Supercopa de España: 2012
    Individual
    Onze d’Or Coach of the Year: 2005
    FIFA World Coach of the Year: 2010
    IFFHS World’s Best Club Coach: 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012
    Primeira Liga Manager of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04
    Premier League Manager of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15
    Premier League Manager of the Month: November 2004, January 2005, March 2007
    Serie A Manager of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10
    Albo Panchina d’Oro: 2009–10
    Miguel Muñoz Trophy: 2010–11, 2011–12
    UEFA Manager of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04
    UEFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010
    World Soccer Magazine World Manager of the Year: 2004, 2005, 2010
    LPFP Awards Best Portuguese Manager in Foreign Countries: 2008–09, 2009–10
    BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award: 2005
    La Gazzetta dello Sport Man of the Year: 2010[178]
    International Sports Press Association Best Manager in the World: 2010[179]
    Prémio Prestígio Fernando Soromenho: 2012[180]
    Football Extravaganza’s League of Legends (2011)[181]

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    Mute Gavin Doyle
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    Feb 6th 2016, 1:33 AM

    This is exactly what happens when you become so dependant on champions league money . Man Utd are not able to pick a manager they want and need to develop and promote the youth they are being a slave to their massive sponsors.
    If United sign mourinho they will be in a far worse shape after he goes than when Ferguson left .

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:20 AM

    Great record as a manager bit basically a kaunt of a person.

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    Mute Iggy Curtin
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    Feb 6th 2016, 2:11 AM

    I think its amazing how a club’s ‘values’ become worthless in the hunt for success.. During Fergie’s time it was all about ‘no one person is as big as the club’. Mourinho thinks he is bigger than the game itself. The notion of Mourinho coming manager of United 5 years ago would have been laughed at.

    As a United supporter I would like to see him appointed. LVG is a spoofer. Nothing would be worse than seeing City become the dominant club in the city.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Feb 6th 2016, 3:09 AM

    You mean staying the dominant team in the city.

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    Mute Peadar
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    Feb 6th 2016, 8:47 AM

    Ranieri the only man for United. Joses time has come and gone. He’s not classy enough for United, crassy yes

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