Agence France-Presse
London, May 27: Manchester United anointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager Friday to launch a third bid in less than three years to transform the Red Devils into a title-winning force again.
After three days of talks, Mourinho agreed to a four-year contract on a bumper salary reportedly worth more than $20 million a year. Added to it will be extra incentives if the club win titles.
But the 53-year-old Portuguese said it was the ‘mystique’ of United that drew him to the challenge.
“To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game,” Mourinho said in a club statement. “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,” added Mourinho.
Mourinho seemed destined to manage Man U ever since his Porto side eliminated Ferguson’s men from the 2004 Champions League. Porto went on to win the title.
He thought his time had come when Ferguson retired in 2013, but concerns over his volatile personality prompted United to turn to the more reserved David Moyes instead.
But with that move proving a disaster and Louis van Gaal faring little better, United’s powerbrokers have decided to take a chance on Mourinho, despite his turbulent reputation.
“Jose is quite simply the best manager in the game today,” said United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. “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.”
The Red Devils’ statement on Mourinho’s appointment did not mention the future of Ryan Giggs, the club stalwart and Van Gaal’s deputy who had been seen as a potential successor to the Dutchman.
Mourinho is expected to bring long-time assistant Rui Faria and goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro with him, meaning Van Gaal’s assistant coaches Albert Stuivenberg and Frans Hoek are likely to be dismissed.