Manchester United fans pleading for ‘Anyone But Jose’ have been given a boost

Kevin McGillicuddy

Just when you thought you were certain of something, the rug gets pulled from under you.

Jose Mourinho has been the long standing favourite to finally get his wish and take over at Manchester United this summer.

Louis van Gaal may think he would get some some leeway if he wins the FA Cup, but he may well be overestimating the importance of that ‘famous old trophy’ if he thinks it will keep him in gainful employment beyond the end of May.

Several of Europe’s top coaches have been linked with the job, but Mourinho has been such a short price for so long it has seemed like a done deal.

mourinho

However, major players behind the scenes at Old Trafford such as Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton are said not to be fans of Mourinho’s management style, and the feeling is that someone who might think about the long-term future of the club may be be more suitable for the fans and the board at Old Trafford.

Such a figure could present itself in former Manchester United central defender Laurent Blanc, who may be exiting PSG this summer after yet another disappointing European campaign.

The runaway Ligue 1 winners lost out to Manchester City in the last eight of the Champions League earlier this month, and Blanc understood to be very highly thought of by United’s top brass.

blanc

Blanc played two seasons at Old Trafford in the early part of the century, and his appointment would likely see a continuation of Ryan Giggs as a key member of his backroom staff as preparation are made for him to take over the club at some stage in the future.

The Sun is claiming that the board may eventually settle on Mourinho, but are willing to sound out as many possible other candidates, including Blanc over the coming months.

It seems at least that fans would love to see him in charge, as the desire for ‘Anyone but Jose ‘ grows.

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