New reports have suggested that Louis van Gaal first heard about his Manchester United sacking from Jose Mourinho, of all people.
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According to the Daily Mirror, the Portuguese tactician gave his former mentor a courtesy call when United first approached him a few weeks back.
Their relationship goes back to 1997, when Van Gaal took over at FC Barcelona and made Mourinho, who was brought to the club as translator by Sir Bobby Robson, his assistant coach.
"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 hotseat," the Daily Mirror's David McDonnell wrote.
"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 longstanding friendship with Van Gaal, and to ensure there was no ill-feeling when it emerged he was the man United wanted."
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Van Gaal was sacked on Monday evening, despite guiding United to glory in the FA Cup only two days earlier.
Mourinho is widely expected to take over from the Dutchman, with his agent reportedly in England negotiating a deal for the Portuguese tactician.
Do you think United handled the Van Gaal sacking respectfully? Have your say in the comments section below.
