Serie A : AS Roma fires Jose Mourinho after falling to AC Milan
"We'd like to thank Jose on behalf of everyone at AS Roma for his dedication and efforts since joining the club," said Dan and Ryan Friedkin.
Daley Blind may have been a bit-part player under him, but Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was all praises for the versatile Dutchman, who on Tuesday transferred back to boyhood club AFC Ajax.
“I would like to say a big thank you to Daley Blind for everything he has done for the club since he joined in 2014,” the Portuguese tactician was quoted as saying by the club website.
Signed by Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal in 2014 for a fee of £13.8 million, the utility man quickly established himself as a regular in the Red Devils set up.
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Able to play at left-back, centre-back and defensive midfield, the 28-year-old’s tactical acumen saw him overcome a distinct lack of pace to rack up 83 appearances in three Premier League seasons (2014-15, 15-16 and 17-18)
“I have to say, that in my 18 years of management, Daley is one of the most professional players, both on and off the pitch, that I have had the pleasure to work with. I would like to take this opportunity to wish him all the very best as he rejoins his boyhood club, Ajax, and thank him from the bottom of my heart for his commitment and dedication over the past two seasons.”
However, Mourinho’s second season saw Blind’s playing time nosedive as he made a total of 17 appearances across all competitions for United.
With Ashley Young preferred at left-back and Nemanja Matic imperious in the defensive midfield position, Blind had to be content with playing in second-tier competitions like the EFL Cup and his exit does not come as a surprise.
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The United fanbase held him in high regard and after close to 150 appearances with the Manchester giants, Blind departs with many warm memories.
During his four seasons with the club, he won the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the UEFA Europa League and the FA Community Shield.
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Considering his position, a deluge of goals weren’t expected but of his six strikes, a belter against arch-rivals Liverpool stands out.
Reportedly, the Red Devils have sold him for an identical figure to the one they bought him for.
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