Man Utd Fires Van Gaal, Mourinho to Seal Deal Tuesday

Louis van Gaal has been sacked as manager of Manchester United, with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho set to be named as his replacement.

Van Gaal, 64, leaves after two years of a three-year contract and is discussing severance terms.

The former Netherlands boss is believed to earn around £6.4m a year.

Mourinho’s appointment is expected to be confirmed after the 53-year-old Portuguese meeting with senior United officials today.

United has made an offer to Ryan Giggs, van Gaal’s assistant, for him to stay at Old Trafford, but it is not known what role he would have and whether he would accept.

BBC Sport reported on Saturday that United’s FA Cup win over Crystal Palace would be van Gaal’s last game in charge.

He arrived at Manchester United’s training ground early yesterday for a meeting.

Forty-five minutes later, League Managers Association lawyer Paul Gilroy QC also drove into Carrington.

Gilroy is the same employment barrister who acted for David Moyes when he was sacked as manager by United in 2014.

He arrived at about 09:30 and was initially refused entry before being allowed in about 15 minutes later, refusing to answer questions about the reason for his presence.

According to his profile page on the Nine St John Street Chambers website, Gilroy has advised and acted for a number of football clients, including Roy Hodgson, Martin O’Neill, Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, Roy Keane, Roberto Martinez, Sam Allardyce, Brendan Rodgers, Alan Pardew, Nigel Pearson and Steve McClaren.

Van Gaal took control of United after leading the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Manchester United’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace gave the Red Devils a 12th success in the competition and a first since Sir Alex Ferguson led them to victory in 2004

The Old Trafford club finished fourth in the Premier League in van Gaal’s first season in charge to qualify for the Champions League.

But Manchester United finished fifth this term and will play in the Europa League next season.

It only scored 49 league goals – the club’s lowest total since 1989-90.

Saturday’s FA Cup success at Wembley gave United a first trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson won the Premier League in 2013 in his last season before retirement, but it was not enough to stop van Gaal from losing his job.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea last December, just seven months after leading the London club to the Premier League title.