Manchester United’s move to appoint Jose Mourinho as manager has been complicated by the fact that Chelsea still own the copyright to the Portuguese’s name, despite sacking him in December.
Mourinho is widely expected to be announced as the successor to Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford within a matter of days after the Dutchman’s sacking was confirmed on Monday, and earlier this week sources said that United have assured Mourinho he will have final say on all transfers.
But United must first resolve several issues relating to Mourinho’s image rights, chief among them the fact that Chelsea retain the right to use their former manager’s name on a whole host of branded products and merchandise, courtesy of a trademark registered with the Intellectual Property Office on his return to Stamford Bridge in June 2013.
Sources have said that the trademark, which runs until June 2023, can be cancelled or transferred relatively easily to United, but it is possible that they will have to pay Chelsea a significant fee in order to acquire it.
Products bearing Mourinho’s name and likeness are still available to buy from the Chelsea megastore website, including posters, mugs and mobile phone cases. The club declined to comment on the ownership of the trademark.
Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea for the second time in December, after presiding over a disastrous Premier League title defence and what technical director Michael Emenalo described as “palpable discord” between the players and management.
But both parties could meet again on June 6, when a public employment tribunal to hear former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro’s claims of constructive dismissal and sex discrimination is scheduled to begin. Mourinho was pictured carrying documents relating to the case earlier this week.
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