Down but not out: Jose Mourinho is likely to return at the top

They aren’t quite the numbers you would expect of a manager supposedly finished at the highest level. During the previous four seasons, Jose Mourinho has won four major trophies — one Premier League title, two League Cups and the sole European title not secured by a Spanish club.

Although all are well positioned to improve their returns, Pep Guardiola has five major trophies from the past four seasons at the best resourced clubs in Germany and England, and Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino remain on zero at Liverpool and Tottenham.

The idea that Tuesday’s dismissal from Manchester United effectively marks the end of the 55-year-old’s career at football clubs of significance is a peculiarly insular one; his status within the sport is not limited to