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Ninja
The club kept its counsel, and I'm not sure if there's much else they can do in that situation. He seems to have managed to convince himself somehow that his job wasn't in any danger, and publicly backing the man won't have helped on that front. Besides, we all know how hollow those statements are, its pretty much confirmation that the manager is in danger, and it wouldn't stop the media from going after him for it.
As for the press finding out, again, the story didn't come from the club but I'm struggling to think of an example of a manager being sacked that the press didn't know about in advance. It always happens. Theres far too many people involved for it to stay quiet. Since the story broke the club moved quickly to let him know (they got the train back to Manchester Sunday afternoon and Woodward met with him in the evening as per the tweet above), agreed to delay announcing the news until he had left the country on Monday evening, and even laid on a private jet to take him to Portugal.
No one ever comes out of a managerial sacking looking like roses, and in an ideal world the news wouldn't have broke how it did, but I'm not sure you can lay the blame at our door.
Sam
There was no chance of us announcing Mourinho during the season either, we all saw what happened to City's form after the Guardiola announcement. I'm not saying City's poor performances were the sole factor but they certainly didn't help - remember they only just got 4th place thanks to our shitiness against West Ham.
I do hope Giggs turns down the role offered to him, he has survived two manager sackings, if the staff are all going he's part of that too. Oh and he's a dick.
VP.
bluemoon.
I wouldn't suggest you do, but as with City and Mancini and Pellegrini, the fact United basically just played dumb didn't exactly smack of competence. Obviously it's a tricky situation but that side of things wasn't handled brilliantly.
King Luis
Ninja
As you say its difficult, but I think not saying anything and then telling Van Gaal in person is probably the best way. Even if they'd have issued a denial nobody would have believed it. What would you have had them do?
They probably shouldn't have let Paddy Crerand go on five live and make a tit of himself but other than that I don't know what else they could have done differently.
Shola
If so possibly hoping to wait until the last possible moment to hope LVG turns it around?
And obviously the Mourinho to Valencia / Inter rumours etc. suggest that the deal wan't done from Man Utd's perspective.
Ninja
Only to the extent that sacking a manager that he appointed makes him look bad.
And that was the typical English press making stories where there weren't any. As early as Feb Inter basically confirmed what was happening:
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10174915/jose-mourinho-going-to-manchester-says-massimo-morattis-sister
We'll never know for definite, but I'm 90% certain even if Van Gaal had 'turned it around' and got top 4 he still would have been sacked. There's no point sticking with him for next season when we know he's not going to be here beyond that anyway.
.verse
You'll probably find that it was Mourinho's people bringing that up to keep his name and relevance out there. As much as Mourinho has done for Chelsea, and as much as I like the man, he's very much someone who likes the attention to inflate the ego he has.
What I am curious to see is what happens when things go pear shaped, when decisions don't go his way etc. Will the media jump on him and United like they have done Chelsea over the years, or will being at Man Utd buy him extra slack.
Sam
It would make a bit of sense, managerial experience and he's kept at the club. But I imagine his ego is too big for it, and I'd rather we kept Joyce.
Ninja
Nah the media love to see us do shit, it sells papers. The knives will be out if he starts to struggle.
Franck
If it is Giggs ambition to one day become United manager it is probably his best option. Having an interim position made permanent if/when Mourinho gets sacked is essentially the only way he could ever be given the United job.
Sam
Lol wat.
Franck
Welcome to the 21st century.
Wouldn't be surprised if General Motors would express concerns over signing Ibrahimovic because of his relationship with Volvo either.
Ninja
Shola
Yeah that's what I mean - Mourinho basically putting pressure on Man Utd to hurry and do the deal as he has offers....
Then again I'm always skeptical that this level of really obvious 'mind games' actually happens. I'd imagine everyone in football already knows when deals are done - and Ed Woodward for example probably know where Morata / Lukaku / Stones etc. will be on September 1st.
Sam
It's done.
The Platypus
VP.
Based Jorge
Hope it crashes and burns and he ends up the rest of his managerial career in Azerbaijan
Sam
It does sort of feel good having a right bastard as our manager again. It's surreal though seeing him hold up the United shirt.
Based Jorge
Poe
Are they?
Based Jorge
Shola
King Luis
Ninja
I'm struggling to think of anything Mourinho has done that Fergie hasn't himself.
Based Jorge
Ninja
Based Jorge