Manchester United fired Jose Mourinho to stave off a revolt by fed-up players.
Up to four members of the squad threatened executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward they would turn in transfer requests if Mourinho was still in charge during next month's winter window.
It's understood that Woodward decided to act as he was genuinely concerned about some of the Old Trafford giants' leading names trying to force their way out of the club.
Mourinho was axed on Tuesday morning less than 48 hours after a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool that left United a staggering 19 points adrift of their bitter rivals, who top the Premier League table.
The latest revelation is a damning indictment of how bad things had become under the Special One.
Senior club sources have told how the atmosphere around the camp has grown so toxic that several players were willing to seek new clubs in January.
It was reported in September that some serious cliques had developed in the dressing room. A large number of players lost faith in the tactics and training methods of Mourinho, who began to run out of allies.
Some senior stars were incensed by his treatment of Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly, while £52million summer signing Fred was left out in the cold.
Kellyfego
105
I don’t know if this reason why Mou was sacked. If it is then Woodward lacks compatibility and effective composure. And it also means they have more say than their manager. They can rightfully kick any out if the manager refuses to please them. That’s very unprofessional.
hinbknz
91
This is confirmation of what I said earlier.The problem goes beyond the coach.How can a responsible club like Man U allow this to happen?How can a player or few players be bigger than the Coach and the Club.In as much as players may suggest ,they don't have the right to question the coach or the club it's pattern of play tactically.Man U must understand that every coach has his own philosophy and pattern of play before hiring one.Yes,Alex was a great coach that introduced his own lol and pattern of play which worked for him but Man U and it's ex - players must understand that,the club must move on and they must respect that fact...The ex-players that have gone into coaching should tell them of their experiences...No coach will succeed in an atmosphere like this.....Bravo to the great Mourinho...All the best.... Shame to the hierarchy of Man U
yenbouz
87
It's very interesting how this is now panning out. So it was not only Pogba who was fed-up with Mourhino . As usual Pogba will be accused of being a ringleader . There were deeper grievances against this man . History is continuously repeating itself regarding Jose Mourhino's past ineptitude and mismanagement elsewhere . Very interesting indeed . My arguments have been vindicated . Mourhino is a FAILURE on Human Resource Management , PERIOD . Only a Very Stupid follower will defend him . Players Power at play here . It came to this Because if Mourhino and his ill advised advisors . There was brewing players Anger at the surface which was ignored anger Mourhino's dictatorial management style went on unchecked . He virtually destroyed the players motivation and respect for him as manager-coach . GOODRIDDANCE .
TheDebugger
56
“Some senior stars were incensed by the the treaties f Bailey shaw and martial...”really??? Who are these senior stars at Man U? A big team like man united being hijacked by a bunch of millennials..laughable! All these so called stars( pogba aside) have not achieved anything, they can’t even be consistent for a whole season but yet they think they know better than a man who has won trophies everywhere and has nurtured some of the finest players of this sport! Players nowadays have no sense of professionalism or whatsoever! When guardiola crashed with Ibra and etoo, I don’t remember these players under performing because they had problems with the manager! U see the difference for urself and contains supporting a bunch of self acclaimed stars!!
Lanbdz
35
I said this morning that Manu supporters should resist from singling out Pogba as a scapegoat citing examples from Chelsea and elsewhere he managed. I know some here thought l did not know what l was talking about. Now everyone is clear that a mutiny was being planned by their players not just Pogba they seem to hate. I am glad this has been made clear to everyone that the really problem is the Special one himself not the players or a player. What is very interesting is that Chelsea fired him on the 17 of December two and a half years ago and Manu fired him on the 18th December. It may look as though his methods can’t be tolerated after a certain time in one place. His dictatorial methods can no longer work in Europe anymore,maybe in the second and third countries where you find that in every corner.
Wikikosz
33
Ofcourse they did and good reason. his tactics are slow and revolting honestly. We have world class players on the field playin like duts. Stupid enough to think that but Attacking players playing defensively Lukaku and Sanchez had no idea how to play coz they wont even getting the ball. it was only between the defence and midfield... passing the ball backwards then after 3 years passing the ball forward. u as a foward will get frustrated. its not the United way defending a 0-0 game and stupid substitutes its obvious that ex players and fans are shocked that they sacked a manager.... i think most of the ex United players are Jelous. Roy Keane Gary Neville and co. that they never get offered the Job. Y cant they be happy for Ole. he is the guy to take United forward... for years to come