Jose Mourinho Appointed Manchester United Manager: Latest Details and Reaction

Jose Mourinho has been appointed as manager of Manchester United after agreeing to a three-year deal with an option of a further season at Old Trafford.

United confirmed the news on Friday:

The Portuguese arrives in Manchester as a replacement for Louis van Gaal, who was handed his marching orders following a disappointing term in which he failed to secure UEFA Champions League qualification despite leading his team to the FA Cup crown on May 21.

The news brings an end to the speculation that's been running since Chelsea axed Mourinho in December, and United were swift to usher in their new coach:

However, Sky News correspondent Paul Kelso confirmed the tactician's "formal unveiling" won't happen until July, with no press conference schedule to take place on Friday.

United released a statement confirming the news, where Mourinho dubbed it a "special honour" to take up his throne at the Old Trafford helm:

"

To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I'm looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.

"

The Theatre of Dreams can afford to hype up exactly what Mourinho will produce at United and the kind of playing talent he'll attract now that his appointment has been made official.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward spoke positively of what the new manager will bring to United:

"

Jose 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, having won three titles here.

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward.

"

Mourinho's former club Chelsea won't officially appoint Antonio Conte their new manager until after Euro 2016, though the west London club were enjoying an altogether less eventful morning:

After a six-month absence from the Premier League, Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker is looking forward to welcoming Mourinho back to the drama of the English top flight and hailed United's appointment:

That said, expectations were also high for predecessor Van Gaal, and despite lifting the FA Cup last Saturday, many would say his reign at the club was unsuccessful.

Football writer Andrew Thomas also highlighted United's string of recent appointment errors, noting Mourinho's deal will end at the same time predecessor David Moyes' was scheduled to prior to his 2014 axing:

Mourinho's appointment to the Old Trafford helm brings an end to the manager's spell out of the game following his dismissal as Chelsea boss in December 2015.

The former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and FC Porto chief left the west London outfit after winning just four of his 16 league matches in 2015-16, but Mourinho's resume still reads as one of the best in the business.

The Mirror's David McDonnell emphasised just how eager United were to confirm Friday's appointment after receiving their green light:

The club also provided more footage of the Special One holding the colours he'll represent:

The 53-year-old has won three Premier League titles across two stints with Chelsea and clinched the Champions League at Porto and Inter. He also claimed every domestic trophy in Spain during his three years with Real.

Mourinho's return to management will also see his rivalry with Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger reignited once again, but this time under a red banner:

That won't be the only stellar managerial battle in sight after Merseyside writer Richard Buxton highlighted the thriving mass of tactical talent now coming to the Premier League:

For the first time in his career outside his native Portugal—where he managed S.L. Benfica and Porto—Mourinho has taken over the domestic rival of one of his former teams and will have a prime opportunity to exact revenge on those doubting his talents with United.

After three lacklustre years under David Moyes and Van Gaal, Mourinho faces arguably his most difficult job in football to date as he will be tasked with restoring the Red Devils to their former glory. However, if successful, he could further cement his stature among the greatest managers of all time.