Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal left Manchester United’s London hotel on Sunday without being told by the club that Jose Mourinho is set to succeed him as manager.
The BBC understands that Saturday’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace was Van Gaal’s last game in charge.
The 64-year-old has now travelled back to Manchester along with his squad.
However, it is understood neither the Dutchman nor his coaching staff have been told what is happening by United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
Van Gaal said “it’s over” when a reporter approached him as he left the hotel on Sunday – but he is said to have been referring to his side’s season rather than his own job.
Other members of Van Gaal’s Old Trafford staff are due to go on holiday.
Woodward as well as Joel and Avie Glazer, part of the American family who own the Premier League club, were at Wembley on Saturday – but are not thought to have been at the team hotel.
With United failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League under Van Gaal, the Old Trafford hierarchy is thought to have decided a change is required.
BBC Sport revealed on Saturday that United are set to appoint Mourinho as the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Netherlands manager’s replacement.
The Portuguese, 53, was sacked by Chelsea in December, seven months after the Stamford Bridge club won the Premier League title.
Mourinho, who won three league titles in two spells at Chelsea, has been out of work since.
He was at heavyweight boxer David Haye’s win in London on Saturday evening but repeatedly declined to comment on whether he was about to succeed Van Gaal.
BBC