Jose Mourinho's Camp Said to Have Waged 'Media Campaign' Against Louis van Gaal

Jose Mourinho’s camp has reportedly waged a “ferocious media campaign” against Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal in an attempt to oust him from his position at Old Trafford.

According to an exclusive column from Spanish football expert Guillem Balague on Yahoo Sport, the Portuguese’s chances of becoming Red Devils boss are fading fast, with Van Gaal set to stay on for another season.

That's despite what Balague terms as "extraordinary pressure from the Mourinho camp who, throughout the season, have mounted a ferocious media campaign to undermine Van Gaal and promote the Mourinho cause."

The article noted United icons Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson both have “reservations” about Mourinho taking the job. Balague also stated the Portuguese’s camp has stated off the record that his move to Manchester was a “done deal” in order “to put pressure to Van Gaal.”

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Sport Witness believes the games being played behind the scenes by the Mourinho camp have backfired, with Andy Burton of Sky Sports noting Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the Portuguese:

Keeping Van Gaal at the club would most likely divide United fans. Granted, the Red Devils are well positioned for FA Cup success and have a host of young players making a positive impression in the first team. However, a late-season flourish would be a Band-Aid over a lot of bullet holes.

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For long spells this season, United have been soporific. The squad Van Gaal has assembled boasts some talented and exciting players, but it’s imbalanced and inconsistent. The Dutchman’s side has played some stagnant football, and a likely fifth-place finish would not sate the supporters.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Pilger thinks some of the decisions Van Gaal has made during the transfer windows since his appointment in 2014 are peculiar as well:

The Dutchman has kept his job despite significant pressure at times this season, although reports about Mourinho have never been far from the back pages. According to a story from El Pais (h/t Ed Aarons of the Observer, via the Guardian), the former Chelsea boss has signed a pre-contract with United already.

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It’s reports such as these that have made a Mourinho move to United inevitable in the eyes of a lot of supporters, although with little movement on Van Gaal, it seems as though that prospect is becoming less and less likely.

Greg Johnson of Squawka doesn’t think United have put themselves in a brilliant position when it comes to their managerial situation:

Mourinho would certainly give the club a jolt. United are in a malaise, and while the club could finish the campaign with the FA Cup, the Red Devils are well versed in challenging for the biggest honours. Regardless of the accompanying baggage the Portuguese brings, he’d propel this team closer to this kind of silverware.

Still, he doesn’t seem like the correct long-term fit. Not since his stint at Porto between 2002 and 2004 has Mourinho constructed a side from its foundations, and while United are in the upper echelons of the Premier League, it’s clear a big rebuilding job is needed. While he’s one of the best managers in the world, the task at hand at Old Trafford would be an unfamiliar one for the former Real Madrid coach.