The news that Manchester United have parted ways with manager Jose Mourinho has drawn a fantastically mixed response from fans across social media.
The Portuguese coaches sacking comes less than 48 hours after a woeful defeat to arch rivals Liverpool, and almost three years to the day since his second departure from Chelsea.
The official statement on the Manchester United website read that:
“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."
This had been Mourinho's eighth managerial appointment.
He memorably won the Champions League with Primeira Liga side Porto in the early 2000s which led him onto Chelsea, where he was monikered 'The Special One' after a press conference that would go on to define his personality in the eyes of the English media. With the Blues, Mourinho won back-to-back titles before leaving Stamford Bridge under a cloud for the first time. A return in 2013 yielded another EPL trophy.
The title has been no way near forthcoming at United, although Mourinho's appointment was expected to herald a return to the glory days of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Instead, both fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester City have both steamed ahead, although the former have still yet to end their three decade wait for the league to return.
Bookmaker Paddy Power got immediately in on the action, tweeting out;
"It's a sad day as Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United.
A sad day for Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal."
with @DrAlbertPoon going along with this theme of it being a bad day for the rest of the Premier League:
"Mourinho sacked. All good times must come to an end. I'm just extremely grateful that the @ManUtd board hesitated for so long to do this"
@MKJohn254 was quite direct,
Mourinho SACKED. Bye Mr. Boring.
Referencing the fact that it was a Liverpool performance that was the final nail in Mou’s coffin,
@DeDozeman commented
“I just heard man utd have sacked Jose Mourinho
The MANE effect!"
@Hasbrown_Luego had a different approach;
“Why sack him now if you're only going to use a caretaker until the end of the year? Embarassing"
Whereas @RossShacklady commented that they were
“More interested in where Mourinho goes next than anything."
Mourinho leaves United after 935 games in charge, 144 matches under his belt 84 wins, with three pieces of silverware.
They are currently sixth after 17 games on 26 points. They lie 19 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
