Jose Mourinho feels embarrassed for Manchester United's Louis van Gaal

Posted Friday, February 12, 2016 by givemesport.com

Jose Mourinho is probably incredibly excited by the prospect of managing Manchester United this season. That is, of course, assuming that rumours over his imminent arrival are true.

The Portuguese boss has been determined to stay in the Premier League since his dismissal from Chelsea in December and has, according to those closest to him, always held a penchant for the Red Devils.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News, the Special One finds himself in between a rock and a hard place as his agent, the prolific Jorge Mendes, negotiates his megabucks contract with the Red Devils.

Mourinho considers current United manager Louis van Gaal to be a great friend and respects that he may have never reached his current position without the Dutchman's help. Van Gaal was mentor to Mourinho during their time at Barcelona and their relationship remains strong to this day.

"He's very special but he is very special for me because we've continued our relationship," Van Gaal said last season. "Which in the football world is not always normal. That's nice."

AWKWARD SITUATION

It is for this reason that the Manchester Evening News claim that the Special One is feeling embarrassed by the current situation. Indeed, since Van Gaal last addressed the media, it has basically been confirmed that he will be sacked a year before his contract expires.

Last time he appeared in public, Van Gaal criticised the media for the continued speculation over his future, asking one journalist whether he would like to be in his shoes and, most significantly, denying the stories linking Mourinho with his job.

Now, it appears the reports were true, leaving Mourinho in a position where he is wanted by the world's media but cannot speak a word. Like Pep Guardiola with Manchester City, it is likely to come out before the end of the season, but Van Gaal is not going to be happy either way.

VOW OF SILENCE

As one source told the same report, he does not want to 'muddy the waters with any controversy', so will remain completely silent until confirmation is made.

There is also the possibility that Mourinho will not get the job. The same publication also claimed that Mourinho's arrival will only be realised if Manchester United do not qualify for next season's Champions League.

They currently sit in fifth, six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, but could still catch their local rivals as well as qualify by winning the Europa League. In such an instance, Ed Woodward could claim it was all a media storm and none of it was true. It may also close the door on Mourinho, who has been let down by Manchester United in the past, forever.