Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. — Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal left the squad’s hotel yesterday saying “It’s over” amid reports he was about to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.

Dutch boss Van Gaal was greeted by waiting Red Devils fans following United’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.

When asked by a Sky Sports reporter if he had time to talk, Van Gaal replied: “It’s over.”

Whether that meant he had been sacked by United was not immediately clear.

But the 64-year-old former Netherlands manager’s brief remark will fuel speculation he is on his way out of Old Trafford.

No sooner had United lifted the FA Cup then reports in the British media emerged that former Chelsea boss Mourinho would be replacing one-time mentor Van Gaal.

For all that they ended this season with a trophy, United didn’t make a sustained challenge for the Premier League title and failed to qualify for the Champions League. United fans were also unhappy with the brand of football their team played under Van Gaal, which many felt ran counter to the club’s traditional attacking style.

Mourinho saw his second spell as Chelsea manager end with the sack in December after last season’s champions made a miserable start to the defence of their Premier League title.

The Portuguese manager may have won trophies in several European leagues but has never stayed at one club longer than three years and three months he racked up in his first spell with Chelsea.

But former United defender Phil Neville said even if Mourinho was only at Old Trafford for a brief time, he would bring trophies to the club.

Neville said Mourinho is a proven winner who is the perfect choice as Manchester United man- ager.

British media reported that the 53-year-old Portuguese will be handed the job next week, ending Dutchman van Gaal’s two-year reign at Old Trafford after he led his team to victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

“Mourinho is a proven winner. United fans want a team challenging for the league title, they don’t want a team finishing in seventh or fifth,” Neville told the BBC.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December, seven months after leading them to the Premier League title in his second spell in charge of the London club.

“When Jose finishes at a club there is a pattern where he falls out with players, gets disgruntled and the team dips,” Neville said. — AFP.