Jose Mourinho’s fairytale return to Chelsea may be short-lived, as sources say he has already lined himself a new post. Mourinho was fired from his position at Roma on Tuesday, but he has since become the talk of the football world, with both fans and pundits debating his next move.
The 60-year-old has reached at least one cup final in each of his professional positions, a record spanning more than 20 years, although his league results have dwindled during the last four years. Now that three English teams, two from Italy, and one from Spain have already signed him, the list of prospective next destinations is extensive.
Many expected him to replace the under-fire Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, but football.london reports the current manager is not under immediate pressure. Along with the hot seat at Newcastle, Real Madrid, and Porto, he has been linked with international jobs in England, the United States, and his home country of Portugal.
However, according to rumours in Saudi Arabia (via the Mirror), he has verbally agreed to become Al Shabab’s next manager. It comes only months after Mourinho said that he had previously turned down the ‘largest and craziest offer a coach has ever gotten’ from the Middle East.
He said that he did so to stay at Roma, a club he adored more than any other in his career after leading them to back-to-back European finals and helping lift their first continental cup in 50 years. After reviving the legendary old club, he was and continues to be venerated like a god by the Romans.
His stay in the Italian city was cut short earlier this week, however, as a run of one win in five games ended in a humiliating 3-1 loss to AC Milan at San Siro, leaving Roma eighth. Although they are just five points behind the top four, there was growing doubt about Mourinho’s ability to turn things around, having not managed to improve the Serie A position since arriving in 2021.
According to reports, he will leave to join Al Shabab, who are presently 11th in the Saudi Pro League, in the next days if a deal is reached. Yannick Carrasco and Ever Banega are the team’s greatest stars. Former Liverpool player Igor Biscan was fired last month.
Mourinho has already stated his intention to join the ambitious project, saying last year, “I will go to Saudi Arabia in my spare time, but I am confident that I will work there. I don’t know when, but I’m quite sure. No one knows what the future holds, but I will absolutely work in Saudi Arabia.”
He is already affiliated with the Saudi Mahd Sports Academy. “The doors are always open for me in Saudi Arabia. “I want to feel the progress there,” he said. “Cristiano [Ronaldo] was the first to go there and give a different perspective right away.
“The players initially thought it was a one-man show, but by the summer, they recognised that everything was shifting. Many players, not just at the end of their careers, but also in their prime years, are coming because the competition is real, not just in the domestic league, but also in the AFC Champions League.
Mourinho had hoped to extend his contract beyond a third year in Rome, something he had yet to do in his managerial career, but was fired before this could happen. He has also been tipped as one of the prospective coaches to lead Saudi Arabia to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, as well as the tournament due to take place in the country in 2034.
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