Jose Mourinho has finally been confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager.
The 53-year-old succeeds Louis van Gaal and has signed a three-year contract, with an option to stay at Old Trafford until at least 2020.
News of the appointment, one of the worst-kept secrets in football, broke on Thursday but the official announcement was delayed over a bizarre image rights issue.
Mourinho, who has won the Premier League title three times during two spells with Chelsea, has been out of the game since being sacked by the Blues in December.
He has been heavily linked with the United job in recent months, with speculation intensifying after the club’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Van Gaal led United to FA Cup glory on Saturday – their first major silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement – but that was unable to save him as his turbulent two-year reign was ended on Tuesday.
United have wasted little time in appointing a successor, with proven winner Mourinho viewed as the perfect man to get them back challenging for the title and Champions League success.
“To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game,” Mourinho said upon the announcement of his appointment. “It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.”
“I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I'm looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.”
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: “Jose is quite simply the best manager in the game today.
“He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here.
“I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward.”
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