Jose Mourinho and Manchester United: A timeline of events

As Jose Mourinho becomes Manchester United's new manager, we trace the timeline of events that led to the former Chelsea boss' appointment.

December 17, 2015: Mourinho leaves Chelsea by 'mutual consent'. "His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history," read the official Chelsea statement. "But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways."

December 19, 2015: Manchester United lose a third game in a row, as Norwich secure their first win at Old Trafford in 26 years, sparking speculation in the press that Van Gaal would be sacked.

December 23, 2015: "Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That's what I am wondering," says Van Gaal in his pre-Boxing Day press conference. "I think I was already sacked, I have read. Or have been sacked. Or that my colleague [Mourinho] was here already. You have to stick by the facts, and when I get calls from Ed Woodward, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, because you are creating something that is not good, that is not the facts, and now I have to answer questions. I don't think I want to do it."

December 26, 2015: Manchester United lose for a fourth time in a row. "The club doesn't have to fire or sack me - sometimes I do it by myself," offers Van Gaal, before giving his Sky Sports interviewer a long stare. 

United captain Wayne Rooney had earlier told Sky Sports: "We are working hard, we are fighting with the manager to try and get the results and turn this season around."

December 28, 2015: Ahead of Manchester United's home game with Chelsea, Mourinho scarves are on sale outside Old Trafford - but his agent, Jorge Mendes, tells Sky in Italy: "Mourinho is now in Brazil. Let's see what will happen when he returns. Jose has to feel comfortable because he is the No 1 in the world."

Following a 0-0 draw with Chelsea, Van Gaal says: "When the players can give such a performance with this lot of pressure then it is not any reason to resign for me. Inside of the club the players are willing to fight for every metre, the manager is willing to fight, the members of staff are willing to fight and the board is very confident in the staff and the manager so it [the negativity] is not inside Manchester United."

January 4, 2016: Manchester United end their eight-game winless run with a 2-1 victory at home to Swansea. "I shall think that now the pressure is lowering, the performance shall be better every week," says a relieved Van Gaal.

January 6, 2016: Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon tells Sky Sports News HQ Mourinho was contacted by the club before they made Zinedine Zidane Rafa Benitez's successor at the Bernabeu. "Apparently Mourinho did not like to come at this time of the season," he claims.

January 17, 2016: United beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, moving within seven points of league leaders Arsenal. Van Gaal says winning the Premier League is not beyond his side. "To beat Liverpool is always important. Today it was important because our competitors lost points and when the gap at the top is like this we can overturn that. That is what I'm thinking."

January 22, 2016: Manchester United deny a report in French newspaper L'Equipe that officials from the club held a meeting with Pep Guardiola.

January 23, 2016: United lose 1-0 at home to Southampton and newspapers claim Van Gaal offered to resign later that evening - but Sky Sports News HQ reporter James Cooper says no such offer was made.

The result leaves United with their lowest Premier League points total after 23 games. In only eight seasons in their 138-year history had United scored fewer than their 28 goals after 23 league matches.  

"I'm very disappointed that I cannot reach the expectations of the fans," Van Gaal says. "They have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that."

Van Gaal promptly returns to the Netherlands to celebrate his daughter's birthday, giving the players a day off from training on the following Monday.

January 24, 2016: A report in the Independent on Sunday claims Mourinho sent a six-page missive to Manchester United, outlining why he would be the right man to replace Van Gaal.

Mourinho's agent Mendes releases a statement saying the claims are "absolutely ridiculous and totally absurd" and "it does not occur to anyone that a coach like Jose Mourinho can write letters to clubs offering their services."

January 29, 2016: After an FA Cup win over Derby, Van Gaal says: "I liked the performance in the first half, it had a lot of confidence and that is back which is very important."

February 1, 2016: Manuel Pellegrini announces he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season and the club confirm Pep Guardiola will be his replacement.

Manchester United make no deadline day transfer signings, meaning they did not add any players to their squad during the window.

Meanwhile, Mourinho refuses to answer questions from Sky Sports News HQ on Manchester United.

February 2, 2016: Manchester United turn on the style to beat Stoke 3-0 at Old Trafford, a little over 24 hours after neighbours Manchester City announce Guardiola's appointment. "It was a great performance," Van Gaal tells Sky Sports.

February 3, 2016: Alessandro Alciato, a Sky reporter in Italy, tweets: "Mourinho - Manchester United: deal close. The derby with Guardiola of City!"

February 6, 2016: Van Gaal says ahead of his side's Super Sunday clash with Chelsea: "There has been such nonsense created about me. I don't believe that there is already a relationship between Jose Mourinho and Manchester United."

February 7, 2016: In Mourinho's first TV interview since leaving Chelsea, he tells Sky Sports he wants to remain in England, but, despite his family staying in London, he will have to move for his next job. "I will be back soon," he says. 

At Stamford Bridge, a 1-1 draw between United and Chelsea leaves Van Gaal's side six points off fourth. The following day Manchester United's share price dipped to its lowest level in more than three years

February 10, 2016: Four newspapers report that Mourinho has 'told friends' he is convinced the Manchester United job will be his.  

February 11, 2016: National newspapers report that Mourinho is set to land a three-year, £15m-a-season deal to replace Van Gaal and that he is keen to bring in Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta. However, Sky sources understand United are happy with Van Gaal as their manager.

February 12, 2016: In an interview with The Independent, Van Gaal says he does not believe United have been in contact with Mourinho. "I have spoken with [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward and I cannot imagine that he and Jose Mourinho have spoken with each other," he said. "I think that if they speak with another manager, they would tell me because our relationship is like that." He later claimed the media had been "inventing stories". 

February 13, 2016: Van Gaal cuts a downbeat figure after United suffer a 2-1 loss at Sunderland, slipping six points off the top four. The Dutchman admits it will be "very difficult" to finish in the Champions League places - and reckons his side's best route into Europe's top club competition will be trying to win the Europa League.

February 14, 2016: Former United boss David Moyes warns Van Gaal that failure to qualify for the Champions League is not likely to be accepted. "Manchester United need to be there," Moyes tells Goals on Sunday. "They are a club of status and want to be at that level, if not more. They want to be winning it if they can, never mind qualifying for it."

Newspaper reports also fire a warning, suggesting that 'dithering' by the club could cost United the chance of snaring Mourinho. The Sunday Times claims Old Trafford chiefs have failed to offer Mourinho verbal or written assurances over the job - and that could see the Portugese turn his attention elsewhere.

February 18, 2016: United and Van Gaal slump to a fresh low after a humbling 2-1 Europa League first-leg defeat to Danish minnows Midtjylland. The beleaguered boss blames 'Murphy's Law' for the defeat - bemoaning a growing injury list - but admits he agrees with fans who chanted how poor their side had been. 

February 20, 2016: Doorstepped by reporters as she leaves a restaurant following a meal with former Inter Milan boss Mourinho, club director Bedy Moratti - sister of ex-Inter president Massimo Moratti - tells reporters Mourinho is "going to Manchester."

"He's missed as a person, but right now he's happy, he's going to Manchester," she says.

February 19, 2016: In an interview with La Stampa Mourinho refuses to be drawn into discussing the specific clubs he's been linked with - but concedes major sides are pursuing his signature. 

"Right now I have respect for every coach at every club," he said. "I'm not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me."

February 24, 2016: A week later, Mourinho reveals his preference would be to join a new club at the end of the season, so he has the summer to work with his new players and take them through a pre-season. 

"I always feel that it's better to wait, not to rush, better to be calm, to wait for the right moment, the right move," he said. "I feel that starting the next season with a new club and project is probably the best thing for me."

March 15, 2016: After a Premier League defeat to West Brom, a Europa League last-16 first-leg loss at Liverpool and FA Cup draw with West Ham, former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson warns that the club must salvage something from the 2015/16 season. 

"I think [Van Gaal] needs to win something, or at least get United into Europe, that's the least we have to look at," he said. "Otherwise, it's a huge blow to the club's prestige."

March 18, 2016: Three days on, after United's exit to Liverpool in the Europa League, and Van Gaal hits out at his critics in the press, reminds them of the injury problems he'd dealt with this season - but concedes his side was failing to meet their pre-season expectations. 

"I think for four months [the press] have been writing that I shall be sacked, or not? Four months already. Do you think that is logical or normal?" said Van Gaal. "Expectations can be too high. Our purpose was to reach the top three because we wanted to do a bit better than last year.

"Yes [we have fallen below expectations], but then you have to analyse the circumstances, how I have to work. I am never feeling that I am under pressure. I do what I have to do."

March 24, 2016: Van Gaal is left out of Manchester United's promotional material for their 2016/17 pre-season tour to China.

April 1, 2016: Quizzed on his future and whether he'll still be in charge of Manchester United next season, Van Gaal says he will be judged by the club's board at the end of the campaign. 

"I cannot say [I will be here if we fail to make the top four] because I think the board has to evaluate after the results of this year. I think that is normal and I cannot predict that when I do not know the facts."

"First you have to see the facts, I have always said that. The results and also the titles or the Champions League positions, you can only say at the May 15 'yes, it is like that or like that'. Then you have to evaluate the circumstances, how I had to work in the season.

"I am a rational person. I know that a manager of Manchester United has to win something, but I am still working on that."

April 9, 2016: Jose Mourinho tells Sky Sports News HQ that he wants to return to club management this summer - and that a job in England would be his preference. 

"[Van Gaal] is my friend, I worked with him for a few years. I am always linked with jobs and in the summer I will have a job, but in this moment I can promise you I do not have a contract with any club," he said.

"I am not in a position to turn [jobs] down, I am in a position to analyse. I am in a position to be open to any club or national team. I have to be honest, if possible I would prefer a club but I must analyse to see what is best for my career and to be back with everything I have. 

"I would prefer [to be in England]. I love the country, I love the football here, my family is very stable and happy. If possible, yes, it would be my first choice."

April 19, 2016: Paris Saint-Germain make an approach to Jose Mourinho to become their new manager this summer, according to Sky sources. PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is understood to have instigated the approach to Mourinho - via his agent Jorge Mendes - immediately after PSG's Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester City, having grown frustrated at the club's lack of progress in Europe under Laurent Blanc.

April 26, 2016: The future of Louis van Gaal is discussed by Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness on Monday Night Football. 

"I don't think the Manchester United fans would want him to stay even if they make the top four and win the FA Cup," Carragher said of Van Gaal. "It's a major decision. I think if they can get Jose Mourinho I would still do it because he's an upgrade on Louis van Gaal."

However, Souness feels the time may have passed for United to bring in the Portuguese. "[Mourinho's] got the qualifications," he said. "He's the man if you are looking for someone to come in, stir the pot, get everyone at it and win trophies. He's your man. But I just feel if it was going to happen, it would have happened before now."

April 29, 2016: Sky Sports News HQ understands no agreement has been reached between Manchester United and Jose Mourinho.

May 1, 2016: Van Gaal reiterates he is in the midst of a three-year project and, should he leave at the end of his second season, his work would be incomplete. 

"Of course [the United board] knew it would be hard. That is why they hired me," said the Dutchman. "We spoke about that at the start and we have a process of three years. I [wanted] to sign for two years, they want three years, not I.

"I have signed for three years so next year you see me again!"

May 9, 2016: Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes criticises the style of play under Van Gaal, following a 1-0 win at Norwich. 

"I think there's a lot of talent in the squad, it's probably just the way they've been playing that hasn't been entertaining enough," Scholes told Sky Sports News HQ.

May 13, 2016: A day after Mourinho denies any knowledge about a move to Manchester United, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says the former Chelsea boss would be the ideal man to step in should United fail to finish in the top four. 

"I think that will be it, he will be gone, and Jose Mourinho will be the next manager," he said. "If they want to get anywhere near where they want to be, they need to do it quickly, and there is no manager that can do things quickly like Mourinho."

May 17, 2016: Following Manchester United's failure to finish in the top four, Jose Mourinho has been told the Manchester United job is his this summer if the club's owners decide to sack Louis van Gaal, according to Sky sources.

May 18, 2016: Louis van Gaal is booed by some United fans at Old Trafford after the club's 3-1 win over Bournemouth. The Dutchman says afterwards he understands the reaction - but that the supporters' expectations are too high. 

"Of course [I understand the boos], because I have also said that the expectation is very high, especially the fans," he said. "They are expecting a lot. But I think these expectations are much too high, and we are a team in transition, and that I have said when I started here. Maybe I have to bring over the message much clearer than I have done."

May 21, 2016: Manchester United win the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years and Van Gaal says it is a proud moment for the club and himself. However, within an hour of the final whistle, reports emerge that Jorge Mendes - Jose Mourinho's agent - will be flying to Manchester in the coming days to negotiate a deal for Mourinho to take over as the next United manager.

Van Gaal refuses to discuss his future and Mourinho - in London to watch David Haye box - refuses to be drawn on the topic, only saying congratulations to Van Gaal for his FA Cup win. 

May 23, 2016: Van Gaal is sacked by Manchester United.

May 26, 2016: Mourinho is appointed as the club's new manager as he meets Manchester United's executive vice chairman Ed Woodward in a central London hotel to sign his contract.