Exclusive, Pogba opened fire for Juventus: the refused exchange and 'revenge' of Mourinho

Fabrizio Romano. Translated by Nikita Fesyukov
19 dic 2018

Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho almost did not talk anymore. A relationship destroyed, deteriorated for months which arrived at historic lows to the point of exclusions, public mockings and much more. To sell a jewel from their youth academy at no cost, buy it back for more than 100 million and end up breaking any relationship with the coach so wanted, so protected: Manchester United found themselves in a real managerial disaster. However, now the reign of the Portuguese coach is over.

Not surprisingly, though, since last summer Pogba was planning his escape from the Old Trafford. Exhausted by the relationship with Mourinho, the unattractive football and non-competitive team, Paul, along with his agent Mino Raiola had opened the idea to leave.

Barcelona were especially interested, but Juventus even more during the summer. Pogba, however, also a world champion, was not sold as a choice of the club that demanded exorbitant figures even in the hypothetical exchange with Miralem Pjanic in which rivers of millions would have been claimed in favour of United in the operation.

In short, the wall was very high around Pogba. But the Frenchman was trying to probe the ground to go away between January and especially June 2019, to get rid of a gruelling situation, he opened fire in the first person to return to Juventus, but without success.

The war between Pogba and Mourinho is now over. Jose's empire collapsed in the shadow of poor performances and countless cracks in the locker room. Paul has won, but Mou's revenge will be in observing this boomerang that can the managerial change at United bring. If the Special One had remained, then Pogba would have seriously had chances to leave the club.

Without the enemy in Mourinho at the Old Trafford, seeing Pogba away from Manchester will become even more complicated. Juventus know that very well and were always cautious in their statements about a potential deal. With the farewell of Mourinho Pogba is more and more at the centre of the technical project of the club.

Juventus know that for January the unlikely track is now unachievable. For the summer, instead, it will be the new coach and especially Mino Raiola with the player to decide whether to still force a move or stay with a smile, without Mourinho on the bench. A turning point that Juventus closely follows, with the risk that Mou's sacking can create a boomerang effect.