Manchester United have announced they have parted ways with Jose Mourinho with immediate effect.
United languish 19 points off league leaders Liverpool and eight points adrift of the top four after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Anfield.
Mourinho has been on a collision course with the United board all season after hitting out at the club’s recruitment policy in the summer.
The Portuguese only signed a new long-term deal at the start of the year but United have now confirmed a caretaker manager will be put in place for the remainder of the season.
“Manchester United announce that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“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.”
Jose Mourinho: Earned 1.53 points per game for Manchester United this season; only for Chelsea in 2015/16 has he earned fewer points per game (0.94) in a league campaign in his career pic.twitter.com/rseU5ZSQiQ
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 18, 2018
Reports emerged at the start of the week suggesting United would have to pay Mourinho in the region of £23m if they sacked the 55-year-old before the end of the season.
While the natural choice to replace Mourinho until the end of the season seems to be current assistant manager Michael Carrick, there are reports suggesting United will make an external appointment.
Mourinho earned 1.53 points per game for Manchester United this season; only for Chelsea in the 2015/16 campaign has he earned fewer points per game (0.94) in a league campaign in his career.
