BBC: United hold talks with Mourinho

[Giant Midget]

He's my preference, too. But we might have to pay him 5 million if we don't sign him before a certain date. How do you feel if the new manager has already taken 5 or 10 million pounds out of the club and pocketed it? Somewhat sours it for me.

For all we know, the club could have assured him he would be announced before May 1. We don't know the reason for these particular dates being set.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Indeed. The situation certainly seems to be:

• Get 4th this season = Van Gaal stays
• Miss out on 4th = choice to be made

LvG will stay if he wins the FA Cup imo

 

[SteveJ]

He's my preference, too. But we might have to pay him 5 million if we don't sign him before a certain date. How do you feel if the new manager has already taken 5 or 10 million pounds out of the club and pocketed it? Somewhat sours it for me.

He's right not to be f*cked around, IMO. It'd surprise no-one if United let LVG carry on next season, merely for scraping 5th place or even winning the last two games in a 'positive' manner. .

 

[Needham]

For all we know, the club could have assured him he would be announced before May 1. We don't know the reason for these particular dates being set.

Fundamentally, I agree that at heart this pre-contract nonsense is an issue about the indecisive daftness of the Utd hierarchy. It's a farce before he's even signed.

 

[Smores]

I do. But I thought Mourinho had some passion about the idea of managing Manchester United that might transcend this kind of boorish, greedy bastard negotiating ploy.

I very much doubt Mourinho would even be involved in the negotiations. He has a very expensive agent to look out for his interests, an agent who gets paid more when his client gets paid more.

 

[bri2013]

I do. But I thought Mourinho had some passion about the idea of managing Manchester United that might transcend this kind of boorish, greedy bastard negotiating ploy.

If he has signed a pre contract where united (and not Mourinho!) have a get out clause, that would tell me he does really want the job and is prepared to risk missing out on other potentially big jobs to get it.

it's only fair that he should be entitled to some form of compensation if we later don't take up the option.

To be honest, this whole pre contract thing makes us look incredibly indecisive if there is any truth in the get out clauses.

 

[Godfather]

Indeed. The situation certainly seems to be:

• Get 4th this season = Van Gaal stays
• Miss out on 4th = choice to be made

Don't think that's the case. LvG will be gone no matter what from now one. It's just that Mou seems to have had some kind of competition-clause, which may allow us to only sign a pre-contract for now.

 

[royboy16]

One step closer to never watching Mata/Fellaini/Rooney play for us again. Great news.

He likes Rooney though doesnt he,tried to sign him not so long ago ?

 

[SirAF]

Good post.

Cheers, brother

 

[Needham]

I very much doubt Mourinho would even be involved in the negotiations. He has a very expensive agent to look out for his interests, an agent who gets paid more when his client gets paid more.

But how could Manchester United get themselves into this confused beggary situation, where they might end up paying 15 million pounds for an asset they never acquire? It's madness, demonstrating a complete lack of pride and basic nous.

 

[Raoul]

Fundamentally, I agree that at heart this pre-contract nonsense is an issue about the indecisive daftness of the Utd hierarchy. It's a farce before he's even signed.

If true, it wouldn't be a farce, just business.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

If both are having an influence and they get their way, by appointing giggs, I fear these 2 will learn another hard lesson much like appointing Moyes, and the one's who have to put up with this crap is the fans. I do not like these agenda driven appointments, its bad for the club, the fans have to sit through this crap, and instead of appointing the right guy, its the wrong people sinking us to new lows. They want united to be like Barcelona, appoint managers from within the club, one problem? we do not have the right set up to do this, what Barcelona have done is very rare the likes we may not see for a long long time. United have to fall in line like the rest, and if we appoint giggs this mess keeps on going and going

Yeah, but the point here is that it doesn't have to be agenda driven as such. That's the conspiracy angle, of course: Fergie refuses to let go, wants to control the club through Giggs, etc. There's zero evidence of that and it's nothing but paranoia (or the need to fabricate sensational plots) for my money.

Fergie (and Charlton) may prefer Giggs for all kinds of reasons, possibly sentimental ones. If they do, I don't agree with them. But it isn't necessarily some sort of cartoonish plot going on behind the scenes, it could be a simple difference of opinion. But I for one think that Fergie's opinion still matters to the owners, so if he actually prefers Giggs and has made this clear - well, there's your "power struggle" right there.

 

[royboy16]

He's my preference, too. But we might have to pay him 5 million if we don't sign him before a certain date. How do you feel if the new manager has already taken 5 or 10 million pounds out of the club and pocketed it? Somewhat sours it for me.

That will all be forgotten about in time,if he gets the club back on track Id imagine.

 

[Needham]

If true, it wouldn't be a farce, just business.

The farce is Woodward etc not being able to decide what the club needs to better its future. And on the business side, any other clubs compensated their new manager to the tune of 10 million pounds before they start managing due to inconveniencing them with a deferred decision?

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

Stupidity at it's finest just sack LVG and sign Mourinho up with a start date of June or whatever.

 

[Rado_N]

The farce is Woodward etc not being able to decide what the club needs to better its future. And on the business side, any other clubs compensated their new manager to the tune of 10 million pounds before they start managing due to inconveniencing them with a deferred decision?

What are you on about? If he gets the job he gets no pay out. That's literally the whole point.

 

[Brophs]

To be fair it's a cracking clause if not drafted correctly. Fast forward to June 2019 where United have just gone bankrupt after paying Mourinho £7.9bn for not taking charge. At this point the club is owned by Mourinho, the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand has been named "The Sir Alex Ferguson Is A Rat Stand" and Mourinho is involevd in a massive standoff where he would install himself as manager if only he could afford to pay off Ryan Giggs' 39 year managerial contract.

 

[JPRouve]

The farce is Woodward etc not being able to decide what the club needs to better its future. And on the business side, any other clubs compensated their new manager to the tune of 10 million pounds before they start managing due to inconveniencing them with a deferred decision?

And you never thought about the fact that it could work both ways, Mourinho signs a pre-contract in which he has to pay something if he refuses to sign in June and the club has something to pay if they don't sign in June.

 

[Needham]

What are you on about? If he gets the job he gets no pay out. That's literally the whole point.

Yeah, I know. Phrased badly, meant any other clubs offered such a payout to a potential new manager...

 

[SteveJ]

Maybe we're buying time while we attempt to kidnap Pochy from Levy's underground lair.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Stupidity at it's finest just sack LVG and sign Mourinho up with a start date of June or whatever.

I agree.
I'd feel more at ease with a Jam Sandwich on the managers seat than I currently am with LvG sat there. And the fans deserve to know who the manager will be next season. Will help season ticket sales etc too

 

[Rado_N]

Yeah, I know. Phrased badly, meant any other clubs offered such a payout to a potential new manager...

There's not many times a situation like this crops up to be fair.

If the deal is that we give him the job or compensate him for keeping him hanging then pulling the plug then it seems pretty reasonable.

 

[Needham]

There's not many times a situation like this crops up to be fair.

If the deal is that we give him the job or compensate him for keeping him hanging then pulling the plug then it seems pretty reasonable.

Just trying to imagine the scenario in which he receives maximum compensation: Utd take several more months to make their mind up they don't want Jose Mourinho, Giggs or more van Gaal is preferred, club forks out 15 million of what could have been used to buy one of Bale's limbs. Seems ridiculous but that is what this clause prepares for. As unlikely as it does seem, this scenario indicates there obviously is some boardroom tussle between (in the main) non-footballing and ex-footballing members who take different views on Mourinho's suitability. House divided against itself, etc doesn't bode well.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

And the fans deserve to know who the manager will be next season. Will help season ticket sales etc too

Yes, there's that aspect of it too. Woody cares about image, presumably. So he can't be utterly disinterested in how fans perceive the current situation. And what many of them see as some sort of cloak and dagger business involving a possible hiring of Mourinho isn't exactly helping to boost his - Woody's - increasingly shabby reputation. Most fans would rather have a straight message, whatever that message is.

 

[JPRouve]

Just trying to imagine the scenario in which he receives maximum compensation: Utd take several more months to make their mind up they don't want Jose Mourinho, Giggs or more van Gaal is preferred, club forks out 15 million of what could have been used to buy one of Bale's limbs. Seems ridiculous but that is what this clause prepares for. As unlikely as it does seem, this scenario indicates there obviously is some boardroom tussle between (in the main) non-footballing and ex-footballing members who take different views on Mourinho's suitability. House divided against itself, etc doesn't bode well.

If the pre contract is real then there is no doubt that he is wanted by the board.

 

[Needham]

If the pre contract is real then there is no doubt that he is wanted by the board.

In which case you've got to look forward to Van Gaal's response to being asked about it in his next press conference.

 

[Paul the Wolf]

Wouldn't be surpised for it to be announced by the club during the international break

 

[JPRouve]

In which case you've got to look forward to Van Gaal's response to being asked about it in his next press conference.

Van gaal's response is irrelevant, on that subject he will never say anything interesting.

 

[Esquire]

He's my preference, too. But we might have to pay him 5 million if we don't sign him before a certain date. How do you feel if the new manager has already taken 5 or 10 million pounds out of the club and pocketed it? Somewhat sours it for me.

Business is business, I don't begrudge him for that. Can't blame him when we are not negotiating from a position of power. What I hate more is LVG swindling paycheck after paycheck.

 

[ravi2]

He's my preference, too. But we might have to pay him 5 million if we don't sign him before a certain date. How do you feel if the new manager has already taken 5 or 10 million pounds out of the club and pocketed it? Somewhat sours it for me.

As I said, this was negotiated between Mendes and Woodward (who have a great relationship by all accounts) and it makes sense for all parties. We lock down Jose and he has job security.

This is 2016, you don't really expect something like this to all be secured strictly on a verbal basis?

And doesn't the payment only go into effect if we don't decide to go with Jose?
Furthermore, we really should get him by may 1st so he can get right to work and get a jump start on things. There is a lot of work to be done. Ideally we should have our shit together so the money should not have to be paid.

 

[caisenma]

In which case you've got to look forward to Van Gaal's response to being asked about it in his next press conference.

He will still deny Mourinho is coming until he's sat on his ass outside Old Trafford with his P45.

 

[Needham]

As I said, this was negotiated between Mendes and Woodward (who have a great relationship by all accounts) and it makes sense for all parties. We lock down Jose and he has job security.

This is 2016, you don't really expect something like this to all be secured strictly on a verbal basis?

And doesn't the payment only go into effect if we don't decide to go with Jose?
Furthermore, we really should get him by may 1st so he can get right to work and get a jump start on things. There is a lot of work to be done. Ideally we should have our shit together so the money should not have to be paid.

You might expect some confidentiality clause so that there's less of a public mess in the remaining games with a lame duck boss. Agreed he should be brought in as soon as possible.

 

[gulli_G]

“If United do not sign the final contract [with Mourinho] before 1 May, they must pay £5m; if by 1 June he’s still not signed, they shall pay another £10m,” read the report.
I hate him already if this is true.

I think Mourinho did good getting these clauses in, he probably didn't want the Van Gaal after world cup situation, where we left it too late to sign players for positions needed. He gets in May 1 can assess the current squad close up and get his players in ASAP.

 

[Raees]

To be fair it's a cracking clause if not drafted correctly. Fast forward to June 2019 where United have just gone bankrupt after paying Mourinho £7.9bn for not taking charge. At this point the club is owned by Mourinho, the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand has been named "The Sir Alex Ferguson Is A Rat Stand" and Mourinho is involevd in a massive standoff where he would install himself as manager if only he could afford to pay off Ryan Giggs' 39 year managerial contract.

The reality seems a lot more far fetched to be honest.

 

[cyberman]

Would all these pre contracts not have these types of clauses?
If not then what's the point?

 

[Owngoalscorer]

You could not be more wrong.

The author of this article guarantees it is not from Mendes.

Really :
"According to the Spanish newspaper El País on Saturday night, a source from his agent Jorge Mendes’s company Gestifute has now confirmed the 53-year-old has already signed an agreement to move to Old Trafford last month,"

in what way is this not from Mendes ?

 

[SirAF]

Really :
"According to the Spanish newspaper El País on Saturday night, a source from his agent Jorge Mendes’s company Gestifute has now confirmed the 53-year-old has already signed an agreement to move to Old Trafford last month,"

in what way is this not from Mendes ?

I missed this part.

*getting lube ready*

 

[LonelyFire]

Really :
"According to the Spanish newspaper El País on Saturday night, a source from his agent Jorge Mendes’s company Gestifute has now confirmed the 53-year-old has already signed an agreement to move to Old Trafford last month,"

in what way is this not from Mendes ?

Coming from Gestifute does not equal coming from Mendes. Torres has previous with Mourinho and Mendes....it is not a mutually beneficial relationship.

Would also add the original article states "sources close to Gestifute" - not "a source from Gestifute". These are not the same thing.

 

[Revan]

But how could Manchester United get themselves into this confused beggary situation, where they might end up paying 15 million pounds for an asset they never acquire? It's madness, demonstrating a complete lack of pride and basic nous.

Why not though? We are fecking shite for all the money and the name we have. Mourinho is jobless at the moment and very likely can choose from some top jobs (he already refused Inter and Roma; there are rumors that Madrid are interested). That clause would just ensure that United won't feck him (again, if some other rumors are to be believed).

If we agreed in that clause, it means that we want him. But of course, Mourinho wants to be ensured just in case that SAF sees a dream that Giggs will stay here as a successful manager for 25 years and sells that to the board, and them in infinite wisdom give Giggs a 6 year contract. Or worse, Ed decides to continue with LVG.

 

[LonelyFire]

I missed this part.

*getting lube ready*

You missed it because it isn't in the original article. Sloppy translation from The Guardian.