ManU appointed José Mourinho as manager on Friday "on a three-year deal with the option to extend until at least 2020," according to Andrew Bounds of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Mourinho "had been linked with the job for months." ManU VP Ed Woodward said, "José is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well." Reports suggest that the former Chelsea coach will be paid £12M ($17.5M) a year, "but the figure was not disclosed." The appointment will renew a rivalry between Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, "who has joined Manchester City as manager from Bayern Munich" (FT, 5/27). In Manchester, Samuel Luckhurst wrote Mourinho arrived at ManU's Carrington training ground "for the first time as he ramps up preparations." Mourinho's wife, Matilde, "posted a photo of her husband stood outside the Aon Training Complex's main building carrying a United bag in what was an early statement of intent." Mourinho "is understood to be keen on tying up signings early this summer." ManU's players "are due to return for pre-season training on July 4," while Mourinho hinted that "his press conference unveiling could be three days later on July 7" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 5/30).
TEAM BUILDING: The London TELEGRAPH reported Mourinho "is trying to lure Rio Ferdinand back to Old Trafford as he builds his new backroom team." The Portuguese "likes to appoint coaches who have knowledge of the clubs he manages, and 37-year-old Ferdinand, who won 17 major honours in a 12-year Old Trafford career, fits the bill." Ferdinand, who retired last summer after a swansong at Queens Park Rangers, "is working towards his coaching badges, and will be well aware of the career boost a stint with Mourinho would provide." The move "is not thought to affect Ryan Giggs’ reported offer of a place among Mourinho’s coaching staff" (TELEGRAPH, 5/30).
