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The news we've all expected has finally been made official: José Mourinho is Manchester United's new manager. The Portuguese tactician has signed a three-year contract with an option to extend his deal until 2020.
We are delighted to announce Jose Mourinho is our new manager! Full statement: https://t.co/PDiHMIWnpd #WelcomeJose pic.twitter.com/eZ8NBSz2up
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 27, 2016
From manutd.com, here's the man himself:
To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match. I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I'm looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.
Now, attention will turn to the summer market and the season to come. Unlike van Gaal, whose philosophy seemed to require an endless well of patience, Mourinho is a manager used to success coming thick and fast. An expert in the dark art of defensive organisation and lightning counter-attacks, he's arguably got more in common with the football of Sir Alex Ferguson than van Gaal.
However, that certainly isn't to suggest Mourinho comes without baggage. Both of his tenures at Chelsea have been short and successful, but both have ended in tears. There are questions about his ability to sustain success over the long term, as well as his dealings with young prospects. Now the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have managed to get their feet in the door, it would be a shame to see them shut out of first team action.
We'll have more reaction to the news over the next couple of days.