ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Jose Mourinho ‘IS interested in Portugal job’ but will not leave Roma in the lurch… with legendary manager ‘plotting exit from Serie A club 12 months early’ to lead his country into Euro 2024
The meeting between Jorge Mendes and the Portuguese Federation did not garner positive results. Any suggestion of a job-share between Roma and Portugal has been banished, according to reports.
Corriere dello Sport report that Mendes met with the federation’s president, Fernando Soares Gomes da Silva, on Thursday to discuss Jose Mourinho‘s current plans. Roma hold his attention for now but he hopes the club will not stand in the way of his desire to manage the national side by June 2023.
Mourinho will speak with Roma’s owners to find a solution, with the Portuguese thought to be likely to ask to be released from his contract with the club a year early to take charge of Portugal.
Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with the Portugal national team job after Fernando Santos was let go
The Roma coach is said to want the gig by June 2023 – a year before his Roma deal is due to end
Portugal, who were dumped out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage by Morocco, are looking for a new coach after parting ways with Fernando Santos – who spent eight years in the post.
Various players failed to thank Santos for his service – sparking rumours of deep rifts in the squad following a disappointing end to their World Cup campaign, which was marred by Cristiano Ronaldo’s histrionics having been dropped to the bench for their two knockout ties.
According to the Italian press, Mourinho strongly believes in the Portugal project and has asked to have the possibility of dedicating himself completely to the Portuguese national team.
The hypothesis of coaching Portugal leading them to the 2024 European Championship and the 2026 World Cup is stimulating for Mourinho and his staff.
In the forthcoming months, Mourinho will seek to reach a solution with Roma though it seems likely they will agree to let him go to ensure they can hire a coach fully committed to the club.
Santos was let go by Portugal after eight years at the helm following the defeat to Morocco
Also according to Corriere dello Sport, Mendes has communicated to the Portugal national federation Mourinho’s desire to focus solely on proceedings in the Italian capital until June 2023.
His temporary close of discussions with the Portuguese federation is closely linked to his commitments with the Italian club, but relations remain excellent.
For Mourinho, the no to Portugal is painful – but temporary. At the conclusion of this current campaign, with the Portuguese seeking to return Roma to the Champions League, attention will then hopefully turn to his own national side.
Meanwhile, former Portugal midfielder Maniche, who played under Mourinho at Porto and with the Blues, told Radio Renascenca that the 59-year-old would do a good job if he took over.
He said: ‘He is an experienced coach who is very prepared for difficulties because he knows our football and football abroad, he is intelligent and knows how to deal with young people. He has already adapted to this generation and proved it by winning a title at Roma, which didn’t happen a few years ago.’
Jorge Mendes (R) alongside Portugal’s potential past and their potential future in 2019
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