Jose Mourinho has been dismissed as manager of Manchester United following a poor start to the Premier League season, with the club confirming his departure on Tuesday morning. The Portuguese manager, 55, is expected to receive a compensation package of approximately £22.5 million.
Mourinho arrived at the club's Carrington training ground at 9am on Tuesday for a meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, where he was informed of his sacking. He left the facility at 12.30pm, having shaved during his time there, and was later seen departing the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, where he had been living.
The club released a brief statement at 9.46am, thanking Mourinho for his work and wishing him well. A caretaker manager will be appointed for the remainder of the season while United search for a permanent successor. Former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, currently managing Molde in Norway, is the leading candidate to take charge until the end of the campaign.
Mourinho's reign ended after two and a half years, with the team enduring their worst start to a top-flight season since 1990. Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool proved to be his final match. Reports indicate that the club's hierarchy felt progress had stalled and that young players were not developing under his guidance.
