Jose Mourinho: Manchester United sack manager after two-and-a-half years in charge

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United, the Premier League club have confirmed.

On Tuesday, a club statement confirmed the Portuguese has left Old Trafford with immediate effect, with a caretaker manager set to be appointed until the end of the season

His final match in charge was Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

The statement read: "Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.

"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager."

Mourinho leaves Old Trafford two-and-a-half years after joining the club, having succeeded Louis van Gaal as the third permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

He guided United to EFL Cup and Europa League success in his debut season, but only managed to secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

Last term was far better in terms of league performance - United were only beaten to the title by a dominant Manchester City - but the Red Devils ended 2017/18 without any silverware to speak of.

Jose Mourinho: Manchester United sack manager after two-and-a-half years in charge

Continual poor performances this season mean Mourinho is sacked with United in sixth place, 11 points behind Chelsea in fourth. They were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by Derby County, and have been drawn to play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockout stage.

Mourinho's recent months in charge have been characterised by bust-ups with key players such as Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, while fans have consistently criticised the negative style of football introduced at Old Trafford since his appointment.

Mourinho's Man United record

Mourinho was Manchester United manager for 144 matches, starting with the Community Shield on August 7, 2016

  • Matches: 144

  • Wins: 84

  • Draws: 31

  • Losses: 29

  • Goals for: 251

  • Goals against: 129

  • Points won: 283

  • Best league finish: 2nd (2017/18)

  • Trophies: Community Shield (2017), EFL Cup (2016/17), Europa League (2016/17)

Mourinho has been sacked almost exactly three years after he was dismissed by Chelsea, with the Blues axing him in 2015 on December 17, following a 2-1 defeat at Leicester.

This is the latest in a long line of collapses suffered by teams managed by Mourinho, with Real Madrid, Chelsea (in his second spell) and now United all being hit by the same third season syndrome.

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