Manchester United won the FA Cup Final over Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium yesterday achieving the first trophy of the Louis van Gaal era. Win or lose, the Dutchman is/was reportedly set to face the sack. Multiple outlets are reporting what we’ve heard and seen all season long:
United’s failure to reach Champions League will cost Van Gaal his job and open the door for Jose Mourinho to replace him. It’s just that no one has told LVG that he’s not returning for the third and final year of his deal.
The BBC understands that Saturday’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace was Van Gaal’s last game in charge, and they write:
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.
Van Gaal, who didn’t want to discuss his future postgame, said back on May 2nd:
“We always knew that the process would take three years. I wanted to sign only for two years. The club wanted me to sign for three years, not me. I signed for three years — so next year you will see me again.”
“Every week for six months I have been sacked — and yet I am still here. But this has happened to me at every club I have been at.”
Well, it looks like Van Gaal will end up with only just the two years that he wanted anyway (although obviously not in this manner)
Every media outlet continues to report that Jose Mourinho will move into the manager position at Old Trafford, a scenario that’s been helped by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton reportedly easing their initial opposition to the Special One’s arrival. We’re just waiting for official confirmation from the club.
When asked about his future, Van Gaal said in his postmatch news conference:
“I show you the cup and don’t discuss it with my friends in the media, who already sacked me six months ago. Which manager can do that? You have followed the board? Haha. I don’t want to talk about leaving the club.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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