Jose’s going nowhere. Not for now, at least…
Jose Mourinho has received the full backing of the Manchester United board, the BBC reports.
United fell to their first defeat of the new season at Brighton on Sunday as defensive errors and a lack of creativity in attack contributed to a 3-2 loss.
This, following Mourinho’s thinly veiled criticism of the club’s failure to bring in several transfer targets over the summer, has seen the former Chelsea manager made favourite to be the next Premier League boss to leave his job. Reports emanating from France have even gone as far as saying that Zinedine Zidane, who stepped down as Real Madrid manager in the summer, was particularly interested in replacing Mourinho at Old Trafford.
This, however, won’t be happening. At least not for the foreseeable future.
The BBC’s Simon Stone writes that a source at the club made clear Mourinho was still backed by senior figures at United, rejecting claims that Zidane was in the frame to replace him.
They are quoted as saying: “Why would we discuss Zidane when there is no job?”
United made three signings in the summer: Brazilian international Fred, young Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot and veteran goalkeeper Lee Grant.
Mourinho made no secret of the fact he wanted more additions to his squad, with a new centre-half thought to be top of his wish list. Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld was heavily linked with a move after falling out of favour at the north London club during last season.
Alderweireld played for Spurs in their win over Fulham at Wembley on Saturday and is expected to keep his place for their next game, which comes against United at Old Trafford next Monday night.
Mourinho became United manager in 2016. After winning the League Cup and Europa League in his first season with the club, he signed an extended contract in January, prolonging his stay in Manchester until 2020.
