Reports from the UK say that sacked Manchester United manager, Louis Van Gaal heard of his impending axe from his expected successor, Jose Mourinho.
The widespread reports claimed that the Dutchman knew he was finished at Old Trafford in a shock phone call from his successor Jose Mourinho.
According to Mirror UK, “The ex-Chelsea manager rang his old Barcelona mentor in the past few weeks to confirm Old Trafford chiefs had approached him about taking the hot-seat.”
Van Gaal was finally sacked on Monday after two years in charge, with former Chelsea boss Mourinho set to replace him on a three-year deal.
The tabloid reported further: “…it has emerged Mourinho rang the Dutchman, with whom he worked at Barcelona, himself to admit United had sounded him out about the Old Trafford job.
“Mourinho is said to have made the call in the last couple of weeks to preserve his long-standing friendship with Van Gaal , and to ensure there was no ill-feeling when it emerged he was the man United wanted.
“Until that point, the 64-year-old had defiantly dismissed the notion that he would be sacked with a year remaining on his contract, believing he would see out his three-year deal.
“But Mourinho’s call, confirming United’s approach, left Van Gaal in no doubt he was a dead man walking, even if he secured a top-four spot to ensure Champions League football next season, and won the FA Cup.”
Louis Van Gaal informed of his fate by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in a face-to-face meeting at the club’s AON Training Complex shortly after 9.30am on Monday.