Jose Mourinho Sacked: Manchester United to Appoint a Caretaker Manager
Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho after Saturday’s defeat at Liverpool left the club 11 points adrift of the Premier League top four.
The 55-year-old departs Old Trafford after two-and-a-half years with United sixth in the table, 19 points off the top, with only one win in the league since Nov. 3.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Mourinho was informed of the decision on Tuesday morning. Mourinho arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground shortly after 9 a.m. and met executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in person around 9.30 a.m.
ESPN FC has been told that Mourinho was “completely surprised” by the decision.
The United board, according to sources, decided to act after growing frustrated with Mourinho’s performance in a number of areas, notably first-team results, transfers, development of youth and style of football.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the preferred choice as permanent boss, although there is an acceptance that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will fight to keep a coach who has guided the club to three consecutive top-three finishes.
Assistant Michael Carrick and academy chief Nicky Butt will take over in the immediate interim.
A caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current campaign with a permanent manager put in place ahead of next season. Sources have revealed that the caretaker is likely to be an outside appointment — although sources say he already has links with United with former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Laurent Blanc discussed internally in recent weeks.
United are next in action against Cardiff on Saturday.
A statement issued on Tuesday morning read: “Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect. The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.
“A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.”
United’s players and staff were given the day off on Monday following the 3-1 loss at Anfield.Read More