Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United reign is over.
The 55-year-old leaves Old Trafford immediate effect, the club has confirmed, after failing to turn around a disastrous start to the season.
The final straw came after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool – but he has been pushed closer to the edge with each passing week as his reign descended into crisis.
Mourinho, had been given assurances over his position following reports he was due to be sacked back in October.
Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward was determined to give his manager time to turn United’s fortunes around. But it was the tension between the two over United’s summer transfer business that lay the foundations for the troubles that followed.
In a statement United said: “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.”
United expect to have an interim manager in place for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff, with an announcement expected as early as Wednesday.
Insiders say the caretaker appointment will have links to United, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Carlos Queiroz believed to be candidates.
But former France manager Laurent Blanc is not said to be in contention.
United’s hierarchy have decided not to entrust Michael Carrick and Nicky Butt with the job.
United are currently 11 points adrift of fourth place and 19 points off Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Earlier this month Mourinho’s own agent claimed the club’s hierarchy remained ‘very happy’ with their manager – but it is understood that statement was not endorsed by United.
He was particularly infuriated by the failure to land a top class centre back and a right winger after delivering United’s highest Premier League finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement – ending last season as runners-up to Manchester City.
He cut an increasingly frustrated figure as the problems at Old Trafford deepened and rifts developed within the dressing room.
The Portuguese began to show signs of the strain he was under – bemoaning the scrutiny on his position and its effect on the people around him.
“If tomorrow it rains in London, it’s my fault,” he said in October. “If there is some difficulty to have the agreement of Brexit, it’s my fault.
“A clear man hunting that I think in football is too much.
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