FOOTBALL - JOSE MOURINHO SIGNS AS MAN UTD MANAGER

Jose Mourinho has signed a contract to become the new Manchester United manager, according to sources.

The deal brings together the most charismatic, controversial coach in world football with the biggest club in England, and arguably the game.

The move has not yet been formally announced by the club.

A reporter outside Mourinho's house, said the Portugese returned earlier from a central London hotel where the deal was signed.

He was carrying documents in his hand and a bottle of wine.

The Portugese becomes United's third manager in as many years following Louis Van Gaal and David Moyes.

Manchester United are banking on the Portugese to deliver the stability and sustained success that has eluded them since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The move secures a rapid return to the Premier League frontline for Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December last year after his second spell at the club descended into rancorous underachievement.

Mourinho has coveted a return to management at Manchester United almost from the moment he was sacked and has worked hard, aided by his agent Jorge Mendes, to ensure that he was first in line when Van Gaal left the club.

His chance came after the Dutchman failed to make progress this season, with United finishing outside the Champoins League places to a backdrop of frustration from fans and players frustrated at his prosaic tactics. It was revealed Van Gaal would be replaced by Mourinho on Saturday evening, shortly after United secured the FA Cup at Wembley.

Confirmation of the Dutchman's sacking came on Monday and Mendes and United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward have been negotiating over a contract, and potential transfer targets, ever since.

Mourinho has a remarkable record of success, winning 22 major trophies in four countries, including three Premier League titles with Chelsea and the European Cup twice, with Porto and Internazionale.

He will be expected to ensure United make an immediate return to the Champions League next season and challenge for the league title. He is likely to have a huge transfer budget, perhaps as much as £200m, to overhaul the squad.

United will also hope he reigns in the excesses that have caused controversy wherever he has worked. In his first spell in England he criticized the South Central Ambulance Trust for its reaction to a player injury; while at Real Madrid he gouged a Barcelona assistant coach in the eye.

Last season he effectively demoted Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro after criticising her decision to treat Eden Hazard in the dying moments of a game.

That controversy will follow him to Old Trafford, with an employment tribunal brought by Ms Carneiro against Mourinho and Chelsea scheduled for 6 June.

Among Mourinho's first decisions will be what role to offer Ryan Giggs, set to be replaced as assistant first-team coach by long-term Mourinho confidante Rui Faria.

Giggs has now twice been overlooked for the manager's job and may consider leaving to gain experience elsewhere.

Mourinho's first game at Old Trafford will be a charity match in aid of Unicef on 5 June, when he will manage an England team against a Rest of the World XI.

Of more interest will be the resumption of his rivalry with Pep Guardiola, his nemesis from their days in Spain at Real and Barcelona respectively who has been appointed first team coach at United's closest rivals Manchester City.

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