Manchester United have announced they have sacked manager Louis van Gaal less than 24 hours after he won the club their first FA Cup in 12 years.
Van Gaal, 64, had another year remaining on the three-year deal he penned after the 2014 World Cup but his tenure has widely been regarded as a failure after he failed to finish in the top four this season.
The fact the Dutchman has survived this long has surprised many considering the type of football United fans have been subject too for the last 24 months but it was the fact he missed out on Champions League football that proved the final nail in his coffin.
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is now odds-on favourite to replace his old mentor Van Gaal, having been out of work since December when Chelsea sacked him for a second time.
"I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the club (and securing him a title in four different countries)," Van Gaal told the United website.
"He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here. He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best in the future."
United averaged 1.29 goals per game in the Premier League in 2015/16, which is the lowest they’ve managed in a league campaign since 1989-90 (1.21).
For more stats on Manchester United, click here to visit their WhoScored team page
