Jose Mourinho could become the richest manager in world football

August 26, 2013: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho speaks to Man United midfielder Ryan Giggs (right) before their EPL match at Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho is all but confirmed to take over as Manchester United manager next season, according to widespread international media reports. And it will be no ordinary appointment because Mourinho will become the highest paid manager in world football.

August 26, 2013: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho speaks to Man United midfielder Ryan Giggs (right) before their EPL match at Old Trafford. Pic/AFP

The Portuguese master strategist, it is learnt, is all set to bag a three-year contract at Old Trafford, running up to 2019, and which is apparently worth a whopping 46 million pounds (Rs 500 crore approximately). That's a tad more than the annual 14.9 million pounds that Manchester City are reportedly offering their new manager for next season, Pep Guardiola.

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes is said to be working on the finishing touches to the contract that will see his client replace under-fire Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford. Mourinho (53), who has been without a job since he was sacked by Chelsea in December, has reportedly already told a few of his close friends that his new association with Man United is a 'done deal.'

Current Man United manager Van Gaal has been under immense pressure since a poor string of results in November and December saw United slip out of the top four and thereafter knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages. LVG has also recently seen Man United's shares plummet 27% to a three-year low following their 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Mourinho and Guardiola shared a fierce rivalry during their terms in the Spanish League as chief coaches of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. And if the Portuguese joins United next season, it will be the world's most expensive football managerial rivalry in the world's most expensive league.