Jose Mourinho leaves Manchester United as manager

An underwhelming season capped by a 3-1 loss to league-leaders Liverpool may have secured Mourinho's departure

Jose Mourinho is no longer manager of Manchester United.

Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League table after 17 games, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool.

United won three titles in Mourinho's first season in charge, the last one being in the Europa League in May 2017.

Mourinho took charge in the summer of 2016.

United is the first club since Uniao de Leiria that he has not won a league championship with.

United beat Southampton 3-2 in February 2017 to win the League Cup.

Mourinho had a difficult relationship with Paul Pogba throughout his reign. AFP

Mourinho's best finish as United manager was second in 2017/18.. AFP

Mourinho has endured many frustrations during his time in charge. AFP

Mourinho with Pogba in September. Pogba had been dropped from United's side in recent weeks. AFP

In happier times, Mourinho celebrating with players and staff after winning the Europa League. AFP

Mourinho's last game in charge of United on Sunday ended in a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool. AFP

Jose Mourinho will leave Manchester United with immediate effect, the Premier League side announced on Tuesday.

A caretaker coach will be appointed until the end of the season, the club said, thanking the former manager for his work and wishing him success in the future.

"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager," they said.

The Portuguese manager was at the club since 2016 where he replaced Louis van Gaal. He signed a three-year contract with the club, with the option to stay on until 2020.

Mourinho coached in the Premier League since 2004 when he joined Chelsea, later rejoining after five seasons at Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

He won three Premier League trophies in his career, a fact he reminded reporters of in a press conference after a bruising home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur by holding up three fingers, demanding respect.

Manchester United had an underwhelming start to the current season, but a 3-1 loss to league-leaders Liverpool on Sunday might have secured Mourinho's departure.

Earlier losses to Manchester City, Valencia and West Ham meant the club's season so far has not met expectations.

Mourinho has had a long list of excuses for his team's poor performance this season, saying "by the strategic and tactical point of view, we didn't lose," after Manchester United slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Spurs in August.

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League below Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs.

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