Jose Mourinho to replace LVG as Man U manager?

[Stevencc]

Actually, there are important differences between the two front pages which clearly indicate a dig at City:
- Whereas Mourinho's face covers the whole front page exhibiting an expression of a man who is calm and in full control, Pep is shoved off to the side. He even looks like he's having a bit of a pray, as if he's going to need the assistance of the Almighty to have any success.
- The Mourinho story is right at the front of the paper on pages two and three. The Pep story is shoved all the way back in pages four and five.
- On the Pep front page they have stuck a picture of cold-blooded killer and all-round gobshite David Platt from Corrie, inviting the reader to subconsciously make connections between the moral character of the two.
- The date on the Mourinho front page is 27 May 2016, whereas on the Pep front page it is 2 February 2016, suggesting the latter is old news that no one gives a stuff about now.

So clearly a rag paper. Which is no surprise given I hear the MEN editor and Fred the Red are good mates and attend the same zumba class.

Fantastic close reading, now I can see what they meant!

Also, if you look very closely at both pictures you might notice that Pep is depicted as being bald whereas Jose is shown with a luscious head of hair. We all understand the implications of virility and power/authority being oh so cleverly hinted at here. A less biased publication may have opted to show Pep in a more positive light, like so...

 

[johnnytodd]

This fantastic appointment seems to have touched a nerve with a certain set of fans...........it's lovely to watch.

 

[Christian Slater]

Your point regarding Suarez. Do keep up.

Which plays into the scenario you presented, it's generally the same thing. This is where the strawman accusation comes in. You're painfully oblivious.

 

[Pagnell]

Sigh. The point. Being that people thought Suarez was "turd". Not that Liverpool fans have, in the past, been guilty of something similar.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Hate to interject here, but I believe it was stated that Suarez was A turd...

 

[Renegade]

Yawn. Can't we all bask in JoMo's warm glowing warming glow?

Let's relive some of his finest moments.

 

[JimJams]

You reckon he'll keep his best mate in your sig?

 

[G-Dragon]

Putting some balance in this Pep Guardiola vs Mourinho debate..

Mourinho has only beaten Guardiola 3 times in his 16 attempts!

 

[Jockney]

I don't like the jumped-up little c***, but there's no denying that Mourinho is The Daddy. He is decisive and bold like Fergie and has the necessary arrogance and stubbornness to make a club like Man United successful again. Moyes and Van Gaal had an air of the appointments Liverpool kept making post-Dalglish. This one is the real deal and should have been made some time ago.

 

[KKIRK32]

First Post. Hello all.

I originally wanted Mourinho to take over when Fergie decided to retire. I believed that we was a perfect for the job. However I found myself relieved that the club decided against making a move after the controversy during his second spell at Chelsea which shattered his reputation and ultimately cost him his job. The Premier League campaign progressed without him and the rumors of LVG leaving United were in full swing throughout. I suddenly no longer wanted Mourinho at Old Trafford and in my opinion the ideal candidates to replace Van Gaal were definitely Mauricio Pochettino or Diego Simone. Although both are difficult choices as neither of them are currently available unfortunately so yes 'The Special One' naturally becomes the obvious pick due to his immediate availability, impressive CV and eagerness to take the job.

I can honestly say I am now happy about the appointment and look forward to a new chapter in the clubs history. At a bare minimum I trust that Jose can indeed win the league within his 3 year contract. I also genuinely believe that he could crack it in his first year if he pulls out some genius in the transfer market. I trust him as a tactician and his teams ability to grind out results.

His first move has to be persuading De Gea to stay at the club in which I believe he will do just that. The defense has been relatively solid but Mourinho will make it a priority to tighten any leaks. I hope he keeps faith in Shaw. He would have been a shining light this past campaign had he not got injured and going by his start to the season he would have contributed to winning us a few points to secure a top 4 position. Smalling has improved massively although is still capable of having a hanger and Blind has strangely been a stand out this year. Although Jose will no doubt be reluctant to play Blind at center half. This could mean a utility role for the Dutchman with his abilities to play left back or holding midfielder. John Stones should be a target. In fact he should be a priority. Mourinho is a fan having failed with a big money move last summer. Stones could slip in at center back or indeed at right back. He is accomplished with the ball at his feet and could do a job as a defensive full back to learn his trade just like Smalling did. Jose will want experience at the back and Diego Godin could be a realistic target. Another previous target for Mourinho at Chelsea. Godin would be a solid addition. Varane has also been mentioned and could also be possible given his current situation at Real Madrid. He gets on with the new boss at Old Trafford, he is young and wants first team football. Why not? I reckon 1 out of 3 might indeed sign. I don't see a future for Rojo or Jones at the club. Rojo has been poor, time to go for him and Jones is unfortunately very injury prone. It would be best for both United and Jones if a transfer was agreed elsewhere.

Bastian Schweinsteiger should remain at the club and fitness depending will no doubt be an integral part of the team. Mourinho will attempt to revitalize the Germans career which has slowed down a fair bit in the last few years. Jose could do just that and a fully fit Bastian is the type of player he will thrive to have around the squad. Morgan Schneiderlin will also play a pivotal role. I expect to see a better campaign from the Frenchman this time around and he likely will be a key player. Mourinho likes to have at least 1 of his central midfield players play very defensively minded and help his side be hard to break down. However these two players are not strong or dependent enough which makes this a key area to be strengthened. Carrick might stay but he has having far less impact on games now. I would personally keep him about. He knows the club well, has won many trophies since his move and will be continue to be an experienced member of the squad. Fellaini has to go. When he doesn't play the football can be quite enjoyable to watch? Herrera should play a more advanced role, much like Oscar at Chelsea. Fellow Spaniard Saul Niquez would cost big money to trigger his release clause but would be a lovely addition to a currently lackluster midfield. He could be a target. Nemanja Matic also being mentioned got me thinking. He was sensational alongside Fabregas in this area when Chelsea won the league last year. Personally Kante would be my first choice but that won't be happening I don't think.

As I said previously I think Herrera will move forward and take up a new role. He could excel further forward up the park and with greater creative freedom could prove to be a real gem of a player, which I already think he is. Oscar has the same qualities and has shone under Mourinho previously. Martial should continue to impress from the left hand side. I think he is going to a have frightening campaign after winning the Euros with France, that's my tip for the competition. We have good talent in these attacking areas - Depay, Mata, Rooney and Lingard all provide competition. However I think it is likely at least 1 of them will be sold on, more likely to be Depay given his uninspiring first year at United or Mata due to his previous relationship with Jose. Valencia, Young and Januzaj should be looking for new clubs. Willian would also be my number 1 target in this area. He has impressed me the most at Chelsea over the last couple of years and he has been linked with a move already. Mahrez should surely be considered as well but again unlikely. It is difficult to acquire the required level of player without Champions League football. Zero point in mentioning Ronaldo or Bale to be honest and Mourinho will have to build a side without the luxury of any genuine 'world class' superstars (bar De Gea) at his disposal. Actually that isn't true. It is looking like Zlatan will 100% sign in the next few days. This could be the signing of the season. I am optimistic that he will bring some much needed box office swagger back to Old Trafford. Just the thought of Ibra linking up with Rashford puts a smile on my face. Jose will know he has a top prospect in Rashford and I think he will get his chances to shine. What he achieved tonight is another incredible feat for the young man and he is catching attention from all over so I doubt Mourinho hasn't secretly been taking note.

 

[SC49]

We're never going to get rid of the c***, are we?

 

[merseyboyred]

The juxtaposition in those two posts.

 

[KKIRK32]

The juxtaposition in those two posts.

Good 1 pal

 

[Kopper]

If there's going to be any problem for Mourinho at United it's going to be when he's won the league and wants to freshen up the squad. Mourinho ran the Chelsea players ragged when they won the title last year. So much so, they barely stumbled across the finishing line. I have the same criticism of Klopp in this regard. When it came time for Chelsea to defend their title the players (despite having the summer break) were still physically and psychologically drained. Coupled with Abramovich tightening the purse strings and what you get is player revolt at Mourinho's methods.
United can get his targets but they can't shell out on them every season and tackle other areas of the team. Can Mourinho cope without world class fresh legs each season?

 

[Stevencc]

The difference between Klopp and Jose, or one of them at least, is that Klopp works his players into the ground and physically wears them out whereas Jose wears them out more on the mental side. You made the distinction but you accused both managers of doing both, I don't think that is the case.

Either way, anything is better than being bored to death by Van Gaal.

 

[Kopper]

I don't know. Chelsea looked dead on their feet towards the end of last march. Mourinho parked the bus more than usual at the time.

Mourinho has a good academy at his disposal. Against weaker opposition why not field some of them and drain their life force over the course of the season?

I wish Klopp would do the same.

 

[Stevencc]

Mourinho has a good academy at his disposal. Against weaker opposition why not field some of them and drain their life force over the course of the season?

I wish Klopp would do the same.

That's a fair point - Klopp has started to add to your squad depth now though and I'd back him to rotate a fair bit more than Jose has historically done.

 

[Nilsson]

Looking back on his career I think his short spell at clubs is understandable (last job aside where he undoubtedly made big mistakes)

Chelsea 1st spell: Fell out with Abramovich, not unusual for any manager
Inter: Left on the best of terms after winning the treble
Madrid: They sack everybody. He done well to beat that great Barca side to the title in his 2nd season (scoring an insane amount of goals in the process)
Chelsea 2nd spell: They say you should never go back but he still won yet another league title. Had a shit pre season, trusted the players far too much, lost face with the whole good doctor situation. Can't see him making the same mistakes at United.

 

[SALTIRE]

Good 1 pal

Oh Christ, a Rangers and Man Utd fan hailing from Tory Edinburgh. I don't think we're going to get along.

Welcome to the forum though

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

It's going to be very peculiar and distinctly unenjoyable seeing him in the United dugout. I have little doubt that he'll do well because he's very adept at building a team, galvanising a side, and ultimately emerging with some silverware. I'll be interested to see how he goes about his business at United though as there a few individuals who I wouldn't have pegged as typical Mourinho players and he can be quite ruthless in that regard.

I do wonder quite what he'll have learned from his latest stint at Chelsea. When all is said and done I'm not sure how much I actually enjoyed his second coming. From the off he appeared to be quite a changed character to the man who left such an imprint on English football the first time round. Admittedly, he was always a bit of a dick, always a provocateur, but in his first spell there was a mischievousness about him that I think people enjoyed. Second time around, he seemed to abandon the playfulness altogether and when things started to go wrong, he seemed to lose the plot entirely. The club officials, the match officials (who he found ever more creative ways to blame) and the players (who would once have been shielded from any criticism) were all, at various points in the firing line, and evidently bore more responsibility for Chelsea's woes than the manager. It all became incredibly tiresome and it was quite a relief when he was finally given the heave-ho. To leave the league champions hovering above the relegation zone is really quite a feat (even with Hiddink steadying the ship it was the club's worst league performance in twenty years).

 

[SALTIRE]

Mourinho bullying Mata again already?

http://www.socceronsunday.com/article/mourinho-calls-mata-dead-man-walking/

 

[epic73]

He'll be selling him back to Chelsea next thing you know.

 

[JimJams]

Journos to link Mata with a Willian swap? You know it!

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I dunno, the Ronaldo rumours have already started. Again. As have the Bale ones. And the Neymar ones...

 

[G-Dragon]

Ronald Koeman slams Manchester United's treatment of Louis van Gaal and says club 'don't deserve a medal' for FA Cup victory if Jose Mourinho deal was done in advance.

'For months we were all reading that Mourinho was busy with Manchester United. If Louis was not told about getting the sack until after the FA Cup final, then Manchester United as a club don't deserve a medal for the way they treated him.'
Koeman added: 'If you know a little bit about the business at the highest level in football, then you know that these kind of deals are not done overnight. But Louis has been put under tremendous pressure for months. This is why I admire the way he kept his dignity.'

When even LVG's enemy comes out and supports him, you know he was treated badly. Mourinho has been at club for less than a week and negativity is already rife. Now everything Mourinho wins (he will win couple trophies, no doubt!) will have an asterisk next to him. Getting a job after backstabbing someone is never going to end well. Karma.

 

[SALTIRE]

I dunno, the Ronaldo rumours have already started. Again. As have the Bale ones. And the Neymar ones...

And apparently The Rock is a big fan, he's Woodward's number one target ahead of all those.

 

[Pagnell]

Asterisk. Cracking word.

 

[Stevencc]

Thanks for your input G-Dragon, Saltire and Pagnell.

 

[Smally]

When even LVG's enemy comes out and supports him, you know he was treated badly. Mourinho has been at club for less than a week and negativity is already rife. Now everything Mourinho wins (he will win couple trophies, no doubt!) will have an asterisk next to him. Getting a job after backstabbing someone is never going to end well. Karma.

I suppose when Klopp took over from Rodgers that it happened only after Brendan got the sack, of course.

It will be interesting to see if Mourinho will play some of the talented youngsters Utd have, seeing as he's not really had them before, barring Lukaku and De Bruyne. Seeing as Utd have a tradition of bringing youth through I think he will adapt to this. Definitely think an attacking midfielder or two, a centre back and full back will be bought this summer

 

[sl1k]

Mou's pressers in full.

Happy with that, he's very visibly in control with a clear vision. One more signing to come after ibra Baily mkhy, no faffing about with Rooney in midfield (he either puts the ball in the net, creates or he's out the team), honestly and directly answered question on giggsy.

I'm excited