Jose Mourinho is going to Old Trafford but the official confirmation has not been announced yet. What’s the hold-up? Well, it’s something involving lawyers; of course! Chelsea FC still own the copyright to the Portuguese’s name, despite the London club sacking him way back in December. According to ESPN FC:
“Chelsea retain the right to use their former manager’s name on a whole host of branded products and merchandise, courtesy of a trademark registered with the Intellectual Property Office on his return to Stamford Bridge in June 2013.”
The Chelsea trademark with Jose Mourinho was established for a decade, but United can transfer it quite easily, they will just have to pay a fee. This is supposed to get sorted out rather shortly, and the Mourinho announcement should be made over the course of the next few days.
In the meantime here’s what some outlets are saying about the decision, and what changes will be coming to Old Trafford in the wake of this regime change.
-Two stories in the Daily Mail
“Jose Mourinho is determined to make Zlatan Ibrahimovic his first signing at Old Trafford.” (here’s more on the chances of Ibra coming across the channel from France)
“Juan Mata is keen to resolve his differences with Jose Mourinho should the Portuguese take over as Manchester United manager, but David de Gea could still leave the club this summer.”
Indeed, you got to think that Mata is the United player who’s least thrilled about this transaction, as he was truly a benched, forgotten man during the end of his Chelsea tenure. United signed him for what was then a club record £37.1 million in January of 2014.
-Daily Star
“Manchester United spent £10,000 to charter a private jet and fly former manager Louis van Gaal to Portugal straight after his dismissal on Monday.”
Definitely don’t cry for LVG, he will also reportedly receive a £5 million parachute for not working next year.
-Daily Mirror
“Jose Mourinho’s three-year deal to become Manchester United manager could be worth as much as £30 million.”
Most outlets are reporting that Mou’s deal will be for three years, but there has been some variance in the salary amount.
Author Ryan Rosenblatt says that Although Jose Mourinho is a good hire he does not solve Manchester United’s problems. He writes:
Jose Mourinho alone won’t be enough to get Manchester United back on track. The Red Devils are an absolute mess. And it goes well beyond the manager, whoever the manager is.
Nothing about the way Manchester United’s soccer operations makes sense. They are essentially printing money thanks to their massive worldwide fan base and they’ve done an excellent job of growing their corporate sponsorships, but their competency ends there. Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, who took over when David Gill left with Sir Alex Ferguson three years ago, has overseen it all, and he’s not going anywhere.
Finally, ESPN FC lists five things that Mourinho must address immediately when he arrives. No surprise that attacking firepower is #1!
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.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram