Louis van Gaal was not even allowed to celebrate Manchester United’s FA Cup win in peace as he was bombarded with questions about his immediate future after various news outlets reported that Jose Mourinho was set to take over at Old Trafford next season. The Red Devils were reduced to 10 men and came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in extra time to clinch their record-equaling 12th FA Cup title – now level with Arsenal.
As Van Gaal brought the world’s oldest football trophy and kept it next to him at the press conference, little did he expect to be repeatedly questioned on his contract rather than the win. The Dutch boss still has a year to go on the three-year contract he signed in 2014 but a wrongly-timed leak to the media has all but confirmed his departure from the club.
“I show you the Cup, and don’t discuss it with my friends in the media, who sack me for six months,” Van Gaal said.
“Which manager can do what I have done? I don't want to talk about leaving the club.”
“That is a title and it was three years ago that United had a title. I am very proud that I am the first manager after the period of Sir Alex Ferguson [to win a major title]. I have had a picture with him, that is history.”
When he was pressed on whether he would be in the Old Trafford hot seat, he said: “I have signed a three-year deal so you never know.”
Was Van Gaal informed of club’s decision?
Conflicting reports have been seen in the media regarding Van Gaal’s knowledge of the board’s decision to bring Mourinho on board. On one hand, some say it was leaked by the Portuguese boss’s agent Jorge Mendes and that Van Gaal was only going to be told on Monday.
On the other hand, a report in the Independent claims Van Gaal was told about the decision on Wednesday – three days before the FA Cup final at Wembley. Mourinho had reportedly verbally agreed to become United’s manager next season.
The report also states that the board had been in contact with Mourinho since January. It also claimed that Mourinho’s people were in contact with United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward twice in the past couple of weeks.
Unfair to talk about Van Gaal’s future: Rooney
Wayne Rooney was also questioned about Van Gaal’s future following the FA Cup win – the first of Rooney’s career and the only trophy missing from his cabinet. When he was questioned about Mourinho possibly managing the team next season, he claimed he had no idea about it.
“My knowledge about that [Mourinho taking over from Van Gaal] is nothing at all,” Rooney said. “That’s a question for Louis van Gaal.
“I don’t want to speak about Louis van Gaal leaving,” Rooney continued. “He’s still our manager and I think it’s a bit unfair after we’ve just won the FA Cup to speak about him as if he isn’t here.
“I think he’s a good manager. I’m grateful he’s helped us win this FA Cup. We’ve had a taste of success now and hopefully that can kick us on to win more.”
Even Daley Blind was supportive of his compatriot and said: “The manager was very happy afterwards, like everybody else. It is the first time I have heard that Jose Mourinho will take over.
“I just hope the manager stays,” he concluded.
