The Jose Mourinho Manchester United contract signing has been delayed, as a result of Chelsea still owning the intellectual rights to the manager’s name.
Though Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea during his second appointment at the club, they still sell plenty of merchandise that features both his name and likeness, with United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reportedly wanting to acquire these rights before the contract signing takes place. With it having been reported that Mourinho will sign a contract with United on Friday, this doesn’t give Woodward a lot of time to secure this deal.
While Chelsea have held the rights to Mourinho’s name since 2005, the club will likely hand them over for a sizable price given that it will be difficult for them to sell Mourinho-branded items when the manager joins their Premier League rivals.
Here’s the list of items Chelsea is allowed to brand with Jose Mourinho’s name, according to the Intellectual Property Office:
“Domestic utensils and containers; chinaware; glassware; porcelain and earthenware; combs; sponges (not for surgical use); glasses; half pint glasses; pint glasses; tall glasses; mugs; cups; whisky glasses; wine glasses; champagne flutes; tumblers; whisky tumblers; brushes; moneyboxes; toothbrushes; figurines in this class.
Games; games for video game machines; home video game machines and amusement apparatus all for use with television receivers; games; toys, party novelty hats, shin guards, gloves (games), balloons, sporting articles (other than clothing), and play balls; footballs; teddy bears; ordinary playing cards; playthings; face masks being playthings.”
Mourinho is set to replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager, who was sacked from the club following a lackluster season. Reports have indicated that Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be one of Mourinho’s first new signings for his squad.
