Manchester United has confirmed the sack of Louis van Gaal as the manager of the club, even as they set to announce the appointment of Jose Mourinho as the new manager.
The executive vice-chairman of the club, Ed Woodward, confirmed the development via a statement around at 8.30pm on Monday, May 23, 2016.
Woodward had announced Van Gaal’s sack in a meeting on Sunday, May 22, 2016 in Bowdon, adding that the club offered a £5million pay-off covering the remaining 12 months of Van Gaal’s contract, after failing to secure Champions League football for the club following a fifth-place Premier League finish.
Van Gaal, 64, asked for the announcement of his dismissal to be delayed until Monday, May 23, 2016 to conclude the terms of his sack before he left for Portugal in the evening of same day.
Woodward is set to meet Jorge Mendes, Mourinho’s agent, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 to finalise the new manager’s appointment, with an announcement due on Wednesday, May 25, 2016.
Woodward in a statement said: “I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the Club (and securing him a title in four different countries).
“He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here.
“He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the Club wishes him all the best in the future.”
Also, Van Gaal, in a diplomatic statement, thanked the club for the opportunity to manage in the Premier League and expressed disappointment over the termination of his 3-year-contract long before it would be due.
He said: “I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three-year plan.
“I believe that the foundations are firmly in place to enable the Club to move forward and achieve even greater success.
“I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the Club a platform to build upon next season to restore the success that this passionate set of fans desire.
“Having managed in Holland, Spain and Germany, I had always hoped for the opportunity to manage in English football and be part of English culture. Both of these experiences have lived up to expectations and been fantastic.
“Finally, my special thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and my family feel so welcome throughout my time as Manchester United manager.”
