Because the home season nears its conclusion, rumors swirl that certainly one of soccer’s most iconic managers is on the point of an surprising profession transfer—one that might reunite him with Cristiano Ronaldo, the worldwide famous person he as soon as led to silverware and controversy alike. However this time, it’s not the Saudi Professional League, neither is it a membership facet ready within the wings. The setting is extra symbolic. A job Jose Mourinho has lengthy coveted. A job he has, till now, watched from afar.
When Mourinho managed Actual Madrid between 2010 and 2013, one of many key gamers underneath his stewardship was none apart from Ronaldo. The duo, two of Portugal’s most iconic exports, shared each glory and stress within the Spanish capital. Regardless of their sophisticated relationship, highlighted by the supervisor’s criticism of his compatriot’s defensive work fee and occasional public disagreements, their outcomes spoke volumes.
Collectively, they delivered a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Tremendous Cup, ending Barcelona’s home dominance on the time. Now, over a decade later, they may very well be working collectively once more—not in Spain, not in Saudi Arabia, however with the Portugal nationwide group.
Dream job on the horizon?
In accordance with a report by CNN, Mourinho is now “shut” to turning into the subsequent supervisor of Portugal, changing Roberto Martinez, whose time in cost is underneath rising scrutiny regardless of steering the facet to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals this summer time. “Teaching Ronaldo shouldn’t be believed to be a problem for Mourinho,” the report states, “regardless of the stress between the 2 from their time collectively in Spain.”
Whereas Martinez will nonetheless oversee the nationwide facet within the upcoming June fixtures, the writing appears to be on the wall. Sources counsel that a managerial handover is all however determined, and Mourinho will step in after the Nations League concludes. “Taking up now would enable Mourinho a 12 months with the nationwide group forward of the 2026 World Cup in North America,” CNN added.
The federation’s push for the ‘Particular One’
Portuguese journalist Rui Santos of CNN additional revealed that the new president of the Portuguese Soccer Federation (FPF), Pedro Proenca, is raring to herald Mourinho. A former referee and now an influential determine inside the FPF, Proenca—together with Mourinho’s trusted agent, Jorge Mendes—is reportedly making use of critical strain to make this long-standing dream a actuality.
“Turning into the supervisor of the nationwide group has lengthy been certainly one of Mourinho’s biggest unfulfilled needs,” wrote Santos. “If Jose agrees, the Federation will discover a solution to make it occur, even when it’s sophisticated.”
Sophisticated, certainly. Each Mourinho and Martinez are underneath contract till 2026, which might sometimes pose a significant impediment. However after Portugal’s underwhelming efficiency at Euro 2024 and Martinez’s more and more precarious place, the Federation seems keen to soak up the implications of a managerial change.
