It’s happening. Louis van Gaal is leaving Manchester United.
Reports of the 64-year-old’s departure from Old Trafford started up as soon as the final whistle was blown on the Red Devils’ FA Cup final victory on Saturday.
Since then, rumours of Van Gaal leaving United, and being replaced by former protege Jose Mourinho, have gone from gossip to widely acknowledged truth. It has become a question of when, not if.
Things were definitely ramping up on Monday morning, with the arrival of a very ominous presence at United’s Carrington training complex. Think of him as a very helpful grim reaper.
His name is Paul Gilroy QC and he is a famed lawyer who works on behalf of the League Managers’ Association. His specialism is negotiating bumper payouts for departing coaches.
LMA lawyer Paul Gilroy QC arrives @ Carrington but turned away by security. Employment barrister acted for Moyes too pic.twitter.com/REPvWPAAyd
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 23, 2016
Rather awkwardly, Gilroy was turned away at the gates when first trying to gain access to United’s inner sanctum. One would assume those manning the security point we’re sure who he was…or perhaps they knew him all too well.
LMA lawyer Gilroy was refused entry shortly after 0930 & drove off. But he returned 0944 & was let straight in #MUFC pic.twitter.com/YGC19kZxRL
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 23, 2016
Gilroy QC for Ferguson, Hodgson, Redknapp, O'Neill etc: https://t.co/76xRn0mBi4 "Renowned for getting a fantastic deal for managers" #MUFC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 23, 2016
Gilroy helped broker a golden handshake for David Moyes when he left the Old Trafford helm two years ago, and as BBC Sport’s David Ornstein explains, the QC is “renowned for getting a fantastic deal for managers”. United will be hoping their next man sticks around for longer than the last two.
