Jose Mourinho Reportedly Confirms Return to Football Amid Louis van Gaal Rumours

Reported Manchester United target Jose Mourinho has revealed he "is set to begin work with a new club in July" after stating he'd rather return to management this summer than take over a club midseason.

The Daily Star's Rhys Turrell provided a look on Thursday at a series of tweets from BT Sport presenter Matt Smith, who stated Mourinho will return to management ahead of next season following a one-on-one chat with the Portuguese. The interview will be aired in the near future:

Chelsea handed Mourinho his marching orders in December, and the Portuguese has been touted as a replacement for under-fire United chief Louis van Gaal since.

The Old Trafford hierarchy's faith in Van Gaal was tested further on Thursday evening, when Manchester United lost 2-0 to Liverpool in their Europa League round-of-16 first-leg tie.

Following Sunday's 1-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion, it's understandable some at United may be open to the idea of a change in management at the end of the campaign, if not sooner.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News said in February that Mourinho has a "gentleman's agreement" to take over at the United helm whenever Van Gaal leaves. Luckhurst recently voiced his dissatisfaction the club had not moved for the available Mourinho already:

Rob Dawson, also of the MEN, noted that in order for Mourinho to take over this summer, however, the club would have to terminate Van Gaal's contract, which is scheduled to expire in 2017.

That would be a decision for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the rest of United's board. Squawka's Greg Johnson believes a change in manager is only part of the problem, hinting at more deep-rooted issues at the club:

It appears unlikely United will opt for a change in management until the end of this season—should they choose to show Van Gaal the exit—with the club sixth in the Premier League and on the verge of a European exit.

Mourinho previously served as an assistant to Van Gaal at Barcelona in the late 1990s, and football blogger Liam Canning suggested a sense of loyalty is preventing the former from undermining his mentor:

United are in many ways still struggling with the 2013 departure of managerial legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who was succeeded by David Moyes before Van Gaal took over in 2014, with Ryan Giggs serving on an interim basis at the end of the 2013/14 season.

Many Manchester United fans will hope their club is the one Mourinho has chosen as his next destination, with the Special One seemingly edging ever closer to a comeback.