It’s done.
After months of speculation, Louis van Gaal’s time at Manchester United is officially up.
Having missed out on a Champions League berth for next season, it was widely expected that the Dutchman would leave United no matter how the team fared in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Sure enough, within an hour of United lifting the trophy on Saturday, the first reports emerged that a deal with Jose Mourinho was close and that Van Gaal was on the brink.
On Monday morning, reports intensified. United’s official Twitter account ceased to post tweets from midday, finally breaking its silence hours later.
When it did, it confirmed football’s worst kept secret.
Manchester United has issued a statement: https://t.co/R8Ky1f07Zq pic.twitter.com/zCgtH5J4Oz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 23, 2016
On the club’s website, a statement from Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward said the following:
‘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.’
Mourinho, who left Chelsea in December, is now expected to be confirmed as United manager in the coming days.
