Jose Mourinho

No chance United will go for him.

The reason they didn't originally was that he was deemed too short-termist, too divisive and volatile to build something long term. And they've since been proved right. So why would they go back on themselves now?

Because their objectives have changed. It's all very well wanting to build a dynasty with a new manager but in the first instance that requires the manager to prove he can be successful. Gollum couldn't do it, and now LvG doesn't look like he can (and I question the idea he was brought in as a long term guy anyway) so the priority is simply to start winning things. If you can (almost) guarantee some sort of success in the short term with an appointment of Mourinho then you'd take it. A 3 year contract, assess where you are at the end of it and if it. If he's been successful as would be expected, then chances are he carries on. You don't let successful managers go until they prove unsuccessful. The problem Utd are having is appointing that person who is winning in the early phase, so you're just going to keep seeing them hiring new guys until someone does it. Jose is one of the best managers in the world for doing that.
As for being divisive, maybe he'd learn from this experience and change his tact a little. Maybe not. But I think you'd rather be divided winners than united losers.

JimJams said:

Because their objectives have changed. It's all very well wanting to build a dynasty with a new manager but in the first instance that requires the manager to prove he can be successful. Gollum couldn't do it, and now LvG doesn't look like he can (and I question the idea he was brought in as a long term guy anyway) so the priority is simply to start winning things. If you can (almost) guarantee some sort of success in the short term with an appointment of Mourinho then you'd take it. A 3 year contract, assess where you are at the end of it and if it. If he's been successful as would be expected, then chances are he carries on. You don't let successful managers go until they prove unsuccessful. The problem Utd are having is appointing that person who is winning in the early phase, so you're just going to keep seeing them hiring new guys until someone does it. Jose is one of the best managers in the world for doing that.
As for being divisive, maybe he'd learn from this experience and change his tact a little. Maybe not. But I think you'd rather be divided winners than united losers.

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SAF retiring has added yet another player in the managerial merry go round mix. When SAF was in charge you knew that Man Utd were not looking to sack their manager and so not looking to enroll another one either. With him gone, you now have another club that will change managers every 2-3 years which is a bit of a problem.
Ancelotti is confirmed for next season as Bayern's manager so he will manage neither Chelsea nor Man Utd (if they sack van Gaal before the end of the season which I'm not sure they will). This leaves the aforementioned clubs with no real prospects apart from Guardiola and Simeone. The former is Man City bound and I just don't see the latter coming to England what with the Beckham incident and his trend of football not being suited to the English game (same reason why I'll believe that Guardiola will manage Man City when I see it).
The general point I am trying to make is that Man Utd still haven't sacked van Gaal because they don't know who to replace him with. Same reason why they didn't sack Moyes sooner. It's not because SAF backed him again and again, it's because they had no idea what to do once the P45 was handed out.
Less and less managers are being destined to greatness such is the difficulty of this business. Chairman of G20 clubs need to stop sacking managers every 2/3 years and keep them on for at least 5 years to ensure a more balanced and secure market. That way, new managers will be able to make their mark.

But that's me.

JimJams said:

Because their objectives have changed. It's all very well wanting to build a dynasty with a new manager but in the first instance that requires the manager to prove he can be successful. Gollum couldn't do it, and now LvG doesn't look like he can (and I question the idea he was brought in as a long term guy anyway) so the priority is simply to start winning things. If you can (almost) guarantee some sort of success in the short term with an appointment of Mourinho then you'd take it. A 3 year contract, assess where you are at the end of it and if it. If he's been successful as would be expected, then chances are he carries on. You don't let successful managers go until they prove unsuccessful. The problem Utd are having is appointing that person who is winning in the early phase, so you're just going to keep seeing them hiring new guys until someone does it. Jose is one of the best managers in the world for doing that.
As for being divisive, maybe he'd learn from this experience and change his tact a little. Maybe not. But I think you'd rather be divided winners than united losers.

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I'm not sure their objectives must have changed. It's the old cliche but SAF didn't instantly prove he can be successful. And Utd still have people around the club, the likes of Bobby Charlton, who were around back then and know how it worked. Yes of course they want to win the league, but a couple of seasons without being in contention doesn't necessarily mean they're going to go all Abramovich all of a sudden. That's how football generally works nowadays but it doesn't mean that it'll work, it doesn't mean everybody's going to do it and if you had to pick one club that was least likely to do it it would be Man Utd with their history and the noises coming out of the club.

Bearing in mind literally a couple of months ago things were going swimmingly. They'd made the CL, they'd made some good looking signings, Martial had hit the ground running and there was real talk of making a title push. Does a shocking month or two change it that much? It may be enough to let Van Gaal go but change the philosophy of a club? I'm not so sure.

Mourinho would almost certainly win them the Premier League, yes. But if, by the "3 year principle", they end up back in the same situation again, would that be constituted a success? And he's not the only manager out there who could be expected to come in and win things. What if there was someone who's available in the summer, with a style synonomous with him that would make a far easier transition from LvG than that of Mourinho, and a record of building a legacy and the most iconic team of his generation?

Ciderhead said:

I'm not sure their objectives must have changed. It's the old cliche but SAF didn't instantly prove he can be successful. And Utd still have people around the club, the likes of Bobby Charlton, who were around back then and know how it worked. Yes of course they want to win the league, but a couple of seasons without being in contention doesn't necessarily mean they're going to go all Abramovich all of a sudden. That's how football generally works nowadays but it doesn't mean that it'll work, it doesn't mean everybody's going to do it and if you had to pick one club that was least likely to do it it would be Man Utd with their history and the noises coming out of the club.

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I'd pick AFC Wimbledon

Realise I got a little gushing there in order to over-prove a point (fuck, actually used the phrase "philosophy of a club" )

Loathe Van Gaal, got to be the most odious man in football and I'd love to see him crash and burn. But yeah, I'd be very surprised to see Man Utd perform a U-turn and appoint Mourinho

Is Van Gaal that odious? I've found the cult of personality the media built up around him nauseating, but he's always seemed relatively level headed and fair in the interviews I've seen.

As for Mourinho, it's a shame to see him sacked as I was enjoying the downfall. Putting my personal tastes aside I do think it's the correct decision. Put simply it's far simpler to replace a manager than it is a whole squad.

Hiddink has done well there before and if Mourinho was as toxic as it seems, then getting anyone in would see an improvement. The change has maybe come too late to save top four, but I can see Chelsea finishing the seasons fairly strongly.

Storzy said:

Is Van Gaal that odious?

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Has a ridiculous ego, and unlike others who's at least provide some humour and entertainment, he's just downright nasty to go with it.

Tbh never liked him since he subbed the keeper off at the WC in a move so obviously designed to make it all about him, make him the star of the show, the saviour.

Also, no one that age should have that much plastic surgery. His skin's been pulled back so far it's as if it's receded into his skull. He looks like a fucking alien

Ciderhead said:

Has a ridiculous ego, and unlike others who's at least provide some humour and entertainment, he's just downright nasty to go with it.

Tbh never liked him since he subbed the keeper off at the WC in a move so obviously designed to make it all about him, make him the star of the show, the saviour.

Also, no one that age should have that much plastic surgery. His skin's been pulled back so far it's as if it's receded into his skull. He looks like a fucking alien

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Bollocks.

Roman should have given him time

Ciderhead said:

Tbh never liked him since he subbed the keeper off at the WC in a move so obviously designed to make it all about him, make him the star of the show, the saviour.

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Maybe he did it to try and win the game?

lordofthepies said:

Maybe he did it to try and win the game?

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In the 3rd place match, when they were 3-0 up in stoppage time?

Erm, tbf he did that as Vorm was the only player to not have spent a minute on the pitch at the WC for the Dutch. Don't think that made him the star of the show or some sort of saviour. I think you're getting mixed up with that GK sub and the Krul sub in the match before.

Odds shortening on Mourinho being United's next manager (doesn't mean much, only that it'd be a logical move in current circumstances).

Would United fans be happy with Mourinho? I get that he's a winner but is he worth the baggage/Mourinhoball?

smat said:

Odds shortening on Mourinho being United's next manager (doesn't mean much, only that it'd be a logical move in current circumstances).

Would United fans be happy with Mourinho? I get that he's a winner but is he worth the baggage/Mourinhoball?

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no...

longer response, i don't want to see van gaal sacked. I don't think he's doing an amazing job any length but he isn't as atrocious as has been made out, since our slump from October we've apparently still picked up near as many points as City and yes that doesn't mean all is fine and dandy but it does show how competative the league is now days. The lost to norwich is terrible, but some other results can hardly be surprising.

It is interesting that given the money spent and the struggle to pick up points, the media aren't pointing the spotlight at Pellegrini as much as they are Van Gaal. Possible because everyone sees the inevitable end with Manual.

If the club were to mistakenly get rid of Van Gaal, Giggs till the end of the season, see how he does in a longer format (baptism of fire) then either retain or let go, so he can get experience somewhere else.

Mourinho would certainly seem to be a strange solution to United's BORING FOOTBALL problem

Haha poor Mata will get sold asap if Mourinho goes to United.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35508280

Interesting.

Very interesting.

United supporting mate of mine claims he heard off a reliable source Mourinho will be in charge within a week. Looks like United have gone against their original post-Fergie plan to take things long term and have panicked into bringing in the world most famous impact manager. Top 4 looks in danger at the moment so they have to try something I guess, two seasons in three not finishing in the CL spots given the money they have spent would be hilarious.

The Independent are reporting he will take over in the summer and the BBC article says much the same thing, that seems more likely.

Stevencc said:

The Independent are reporting he will take over in the summer and the BBC article says much the same thing, that seems more likely.

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Just about to say this. The board want van Gaal to see out the season, where he'll likely retire with a diamond handshake.

Kyle Hatch said:

It is interesting that given the money spent and the struggle to pick up points, the media aren't pointing the spotlight at Pellegrini as much as they are Van Gaal. Possible because everyone sees the inevitable end with Manual..

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To be fair though, the press have been touting him for the sack all season. But there are some differences. Both have spent a fuckton of money, but City are still very much in the title race and are still active in all four competitions, and they score in the first half more regularly than once every six months or so!

What do the Utd fans think of this if Mou comes in then? Be happy with a couple of seasons of him with relative success before leaving the club in a worse state than it is now, or is the short-term gain for long-term pain going to be worth it?

I think Mourinho absolutely will end up managing United, and unfortunately it will improve them a lot. As a personality, he also suits them absolutely perfectly.

yes its been noticeable among rivals they actually are afraid of Jose joining us because we are as mentioned so perfectly matched personality wise, very arrogant with an extreme dislike of Liverpool FC

SALTIRE said:

What do the Utd fans think of this if Mou comes in then? Be happy with a couple of seasons of him with relative success before leaving the club in a worse state than it is now, or is the short-term gain for long-term pain going to be worth it?

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This common prediction is a fallacy. Even though it's a short-term solution, I don't think it's possible for Mourinho to leave the club in a worse state than it currently is in. He will attract world class players and he's guaranteed to improve the squad. Chelsea are struggling now, but they'll rebound soon, their squad is still a top 3 squad in the league and they have a better side than the one he inherited. This season is just a write off.

In that sense it is a no-brainer for the executives, no manager in world football other than Pep has more pull than Mourinho. The problem is the dire brand of football he brings with him. Granted, I enjoy his style more than 70% possession with absolutely no cutting edge, but it's still not enjoyable to sit through.

Seems an inevitability though, sadly.

silkyman said:

To be fair though, the press have been touting him for the sack all season. But there are some differences. Both have spent a fuckton of money, but City are still very much in the title race and are still active in all four competitions, and they score in the first half more regularly than once every six months or so!

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i would say, not so much touting pelligrini for sack, more just replacing him with guardiola, which it turned out to be true, not quite the same. while i certainly don't think united are in the title race bigger gaps have been overcome, and given that no team has really put a stamp on the title its not impossible. that said logic tells me it's city's to lose and if they do go on and win league and some, the manual will of done well.

at the time of my orginal post, city had been struggling away alot, united were only a point behind (possible top at that point, ah november), since then united had a december to forget, city have improved away. given the fixture list, on paper, city should move ahead, leicester next 2 games could see a 6 point swing, arsenal will bottle it, leaving....spurs....its a truely facinating season.

as for the jose rumours, i've stick to what i said originally, give van gaal the season, then see, keep rumours of his replacement stum for now, unless he himself announces he will retire at end of the season. united don't need other distractions. it's hard enough for them to concentrate for the first 45 mins.

Mourinho and Ibra get on very well don't they?

Zlatan to play in the Premier League next year?

Who Needs Mourinho said:

Mourinho and Ibra get on very well don't they?

Zlatan to play in the Premier League next year?

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Zlatan just signed a contract extension with a big fat pay rise. So no.