Name rights hold up Mourinho deal

JOSE Mourinho's seemingly impending appointment as Manchester United boss has been held up by the Portuguese's former club Chelsea owning the trademark to his name.

Monday brought the end of Louis van Gaal's uncomfortable two-year residency, with last weekend's FA Cup success not enough to mask poor Premier League performances in terms of style and substance.

The Europa League rather than Champions League awaits after just missing out on the top-four and Mourinho will have the task of reviving the Red Devils' ailing fortunes.

Press Association Sport understands talks continue after his agent Jorge Mendes met executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in London on Tuesday, with intricacies such as image rights believed to be being worked on.

One issue appears to be the fact that Chelsea own the European trademark to 'Jose Mourinho'.

European Union Intellectual Property Office records show that Chelsea Football Club Limited own the trademark for five classes of goods until March 31, 2025.

The application was filed in March 2005 and registered in April 2006, covering items varying from umbrellas to watch straps, and lingerie to talcum powders.

The trademark for Mourinho's name with another two classes of products was registered to Chelsea Football Club Limited in November 2013, running until June 2023.

Chelsea refused to comment on the matter, but, given they retained the trademark when Mourinho managed Inter Milan and then Real Madrid, it still looks a case of when rather than if he is appointed at Old Trafford.

Mourinho called the Red Devils a "monster club" last October and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is excited by his impending arrival.