The ‘Wise One’ Jose Mourinho has signed a ‘guaranteed’ pre-contract agreement with Manchester United to steer the teams’ voyage next season.
Barring any last minute change, he will replace Louis van Gaal who took over the reins of the embattled club from David Moyes as the new manager on 19 May, 2014.
The Portuguese tactician, who has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in December, has been in talks with Manchester United officials for months.
According to Spanish publication El Pais, Mourinho has now put pen to paper on a £15million pre-contract deal.
The report claims United have agreed terms with Mourinho to succeed Van Gaal at the end of the season, but they have the option to change their mind if other alternatives take their fancy.
It states that United must pay the former Chelsea boss £5m if he has not signed the final contract by May 1 and a further £10m if a deal has not been confirmed by June 1.
The clause is said to have been inserted with Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson still uncertain over appointing 53-year-old.
Mourinho has been heavily tipped to take over from the Dutchman for several months after Van Gaal’s miserable time at the helm.
United failed to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League before recently went out of the Europa League, while they face an FA Cup replay with West Ham in Van Gaal’s final shot at silverware.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been reluctant to sack Van Gaal mid-season, despite reports the United hierarchy were keen to show him the exit door.
But Van Gaal’s time looks to be up a year earlier than expected with Mourinho set to return to England.
2016 began well for the Dutchman with wins against Swansea, Sheffield United and Liverpool, and a draw against Newcastle.
However, United lost to Southampton on 23 January, bringing back rumors about van Gaal offering to resign, but having his resignation rejected by Ed Woodward.