Out with the old, in with the new




Is there really any other topic in football to discuss right now?
Jose Mourinho leaving Manchester United was always a matter of when, not if.
The Portuguese tactician is one of the most successful managers in English football history and his character would be missed.

But Manchester United could not keep up with a man who constantly criticised everyone around the club ranging from the board to the players for his team's failings. It goes without saying that everyone has a share of the blame especially the Manchester United board.

The appointment of Jose Mourinho was never going to be a long-term fix, extending his contract earlier this year was bizzare . The board were desperate for immediate success at the detriment of long-term stability and an exciting style of play. Unfortunately, a declining Jose Mourinho only delivered in his first season.



It could not have got any worse for Jose and Man. United given their inconsistent results all season and I have stated here several times that Jose wouldn't last beyond this season.
The writing was on the wall the moment he began to complain during pre-season of player unavailability due to the world cup and failure to complete deals in the transfer market.

It's obvious when Mourinho starts to complain and blame everyone else rather than shield his players from criticism that the end is near.

The man now needs to take at least a year-long sabbatical (seeing that the 5 months between leaving Chelsea and joining United did little to change his methods) so as to plot the next phase of his career. He wouldn't get a job at any of the super clubs anymore and only a return to Inter Milan -who are no longer the giants they used to be- looks likely at the moment.

Jose also needs to evolve his ideas and methods. Certainly, it would be refreshing to see the younger version of Jose, the one who was filled with ideas and positivity and always found a way to win matches and titles.


Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer (Getty Images)

United Legend Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer is to take interim charge of Manchester United till the end of the season and question marks remain over his abilities at a top club having been unable to steer Cardiff City from Relegation in 2014 but "The Babyfaced assassin", as he was affectionately called by United fans has that Sir Alex Ferguson upbringing having played under Fergie for 11 years.
He returned to Norwegian Champions Molde after his English adventure and I expect that he's more experienced and would be better prepared this time. He would have Mike Phelan, Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna in his backroom staff so United fans shouldn't be too worried.

Life at a top premier league club cannot be compared to the Norwegian Tippeligaen but having a manager who could instill some confidence in this undoubtedly talented squad would work wonders, one just needs to look at Santiago Solari at Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane before him to believe a manager who understands the history and culture of a club first-hand could come in to steady the ship.

Perhaps Solskjaer could do such a good job between now and the end of the season that he would get the nod on a permanent basis ahead of Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino, who has been touted to take over come summer 2019

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