It all begins to make sense.
With just a handful of games left in the season, the word was that we could have expected Jose Mourinho to have been confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager by now.
‘Well-sourced’ reports from all over Europe suggested the former Chelsea coach would be announced as the new overlord of Old Trafford at the beginning of May.
However, that has yet to materialise and Mourinho remains on holiday, while Louis van Gaal still enjoys his special car parking spot at Carrington.
The Dutchman can still lead the club to the Champions League, and an FA Cup success, but the overall feeling is the noose is tightening around his neck as the season comes to a close.
Van Gaal remains confident he will see out the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, and perhaps we now know why.
The Times are reporting this morning that his deal at Manchester United is worth circa £8 million per season.
Friday's Times back page –
Revealed: The true cost of Van Gaal deal#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/nPynkRjTBb— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) May 5, 2016
However, the newspaper is reporting that much of Van Gaal’s contract is based on performance-related bonuses and he is due a £5 million pay-out if he is sacked this summer.
The Times claim to got their hands on his contract, and it reveals he receives £3.3 million basic pay per season, while he earns a £2million loyalty payment, £1.6 million for image rights, and if Manchester United reach the Champions League, he will earn another £1.1 million.
Later this month the club face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final and, according to the newspaper, a win at Wembley will be worth £400,000.
Winning the Europa League would have earned Van Gaal the same bonus as an FA Cup win, while his contract includes a clause that he should be paid £1.5 million if Manchester United win the Premier League under his watch.
Despite Van Gaal’s claims to the contrary, it is still expected he will be sacked by the club this summer.
However, that may not be the end of his relationship with Manchester United entirely, as it is claimed that unless he gets a job in football before June 2017, the club must pay him 66% of his existing salary.
Nice work if you can get it.
