It wasn’t so shocking as many thought. Jose Mourinho was fired this morning, after a long and painful episode with Manchester United.
The Portuguese began his odyssey with high ambitions, big plans, glorious statements, and ended it in a humiliating way.
A loss against Liverpool this Sunday, 3-1 was the final stroke which United’s board couldn’t handle. Around 11 o’clock, local time, the announcement was sent to the public.
“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.”
In the meantime, Michael Carrick took over the duty of an interim manager, and the former irreplaceable part of United’s generation which won the Champions League back in 2008, will lead the squad until a new manager is appointed.
The decision to let go, Mourinho, will cost the club more than $21 million.
Jose Mourinho's third season syndrome has struck… #Mourinho #MourinhoOut #ManUtd #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Q9oxM5bLLT
— footlu (@footluIND) December 18, 2018
What is the biggest topic in the world of sport now, is his replacement. Who will replace one of the most controversial coaches at the head of the Red Devils?
There are already several names in option.
Despite many rumors, Arsene Wenger is not in any combinations, and the club stated that earlier today, ruling out all the possibilities of his arrival.
The first name which came up is Laurent Blanc. The French manager left PSG in 2016 and ever since he is without a job. His advantage over other candidates is the familiarity with the club as he played here from 2001 to 2003, winning one Premiership. He was the creator of the famous Bordeaux generation which won French Ligue 1 in 2009, producing many good players. He set the foundations for PSG’s dominance in France, winning three doubles in a row. From 2010-2012 he was also a coach of the French national team.
Another manager from France is United’s target. Zinedine Zidane is without a job and Manchester would like to sign him. Even before all these turmoils, Zidane was one of the biggest candidates to succeed Mourinho. There are some stories that Zidane addressed the Portuguese in person, stating that he doesn’t want to work behind his back while he is still on the bench. That obstacle is now gone. He already had three Champions Leagues won with Real Madrid, but what might be a huge minus is the fact that he never worked in England.
You really thought everything was okay at Manchester United? pic.twitter.com/n2dmFjsvw9
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 18, 2018
Antonio Conte is the next solution for the Red Devils, as he has all the needed recommendations to jump in and become a long-term solution. Two years ago he won the title with Chelsea, knows the system and the functioning of the Premier League, which is why most of the fans desire him to take over the leadership. Some are suggesting that he coached one of the biggest rivals, Chelsea, but the way he finished his episode at Stamford Bridge could motivate him to prove himself and make another big result.
Whatever happens, it will be very intense and turbulent in Manchester over the next few days.
Nikola Velickovic is a sports journalist who loves to write and read on all sports. Nikola contributes both news updates and functions as a sports breaking news writer at WagerBop.
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Email: nikola@wagerbop.com
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