Jose Mourinho: Louis van Gaal feels 'betrayed' as new Manchester United boss starts Old Trafford revolution

The Dutchman is recovering from his Old Trafford depature with his wife in Portugal as Mourinho starts work

Mourinho and Van Gaal were thought to be friends off-the-pitch (Getty)

Deposed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reportedly feels “betrayed” by former protégé José Mourinho after the Portuguese finally succeeded him at Old Trafford last week.

The pair worked together at Barcelona in the late nineties, before Mourinho embarked on a managerial career which has enabled him to lift domestic titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

A report by the Sun on Sunday claims Van Gaal and Mourinho were in regular contact by text message until the latter was sacked by Chelsea before Christmas, raising suspicions that the former Real Madrid manager had targeted his job.

Van Gaal is recuperating from a tumultuous two-year spell at United, one which saw the Dutchman come under scrutiny for his possession-based brand of football.

Despite lifting the FA Cup in his final action at Old Trafford, defeating Crystal Palace last weekend, executive chairman Ed Woodward confirmed months of speculation by appointing Mourinho has his successor within days.

A source close to Van Gaal reportedly said: “Louis feels betrayed by how José took over and how he was sacked. He didn’t believe he would be axed after the FA Cup win and now realises what happened since December with Mourinho.

“Louis feels stabbed in the back by José... and by the club. He had heard everything during the season but the fact remained he was still manager and then won the prize of the FA Cup.

“Maybe his own personality meant he didn’t believe it, yet at Wembley he still didn’t have any official word about his future.

“It was only when he got a text from United boss Ed Woodward on Sunday afternoon, asking for talks as the United train was approaching Stockport, that he knew it was over.”