The New Indian Express: Manchester United sack managers the hard way

There is no easy way to sack a Premier League manager and Manchester United have found that out the hard way with their firing of Louis Van Gaal.

Some are calling the manner of the Dutchman's departure from United a "public relations disaster" for England's most famous club as it prepares to name Jose Mourinho.

The Dutchman was "apparently informed" of his impending departure by his wife Truus on Saturday night after United had won the FA Cup, the BBC reported. She had just read a news report on the Internet.

Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes also found that he was to be fired from the media before he was told by Manchester United.

Calacus sports public relations agency managing director David Alexander said Van Gaal's sacking may not be a surprise given the results of the American-owned club.

But he said: "It is a public relations disaster for news to leak that he was to be replaced almost before his team had even changed out of their playing kit after savouring an extra-time victory at Wembley."

"United clearly had not learnt from their previous mistakes," he added.

A source close to the club said only that United had been "hampered" in their communications because of the rules they face as a quoted company.

United should have put more emphasis on "confidentiality" among staff, Alexander said of the sacking rumours.

Statements should have been prepared in advance and "senior executives should have ensured that a meeting with Van Gaal was held quickly to ensure that he was appraised of the situation."

The Dutchman negotiated his departure with a top employment lawyer on Monday, two days after the reports started.

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