Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has agreed personal terms with Manchester United ahead of his appointment as Louis van Gaal’s successor, according to Sky Sports.
The Portuguese coach, aged 53, has long been expected to replace Van Gaal and was the hot favourite as soon as news of the Dutchman’s sacking leaked after last Saturday’s FA Cup final.
After talks between his agent Jorge Mendes and United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, Mourinho has now agreed his salary, contract length and terms with United. Such is his eagerness to take charge at Old Trafford, the negotiations were always expected to go smoothly.
There is one final sticking point, which relates to Mourinho’s image rights. Those issues must be overcome before the contract can be signed and Mourinho appointed.
The issue is thought to revolve around the existing sponsorship and endorsement contracts that both parties have in place already and ensuring that the new contract would not break the terms of any of those.
For instance, Mourinho has a commercial deal with Jaguar, while United have a seven-year deal with General Motors – whose Chevrolet brand is the club’s shirt sponsor – who might wish to involve the new United manager in their own commercial activity.
The report says it is not yet clear whether the matter will be cleared up in time for an announcement today.
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