Former Chelsea FC boss Jose Mourinho is now considering managing outside the Premier League — more specifically, in Portugal — with his preferred club Manchester United reportedly yet to make contact regarding the top job at Old Trafford.
Mourinho has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United of late, as speculation grows over the future of current boss Louis Van Gaal. The Dutchman’s contract runs until 2017 but his current disastrous campaign means that staying beyond the summer is extremely unlikely for the 64-year-old.
Mourinho considers non-Premier League clubs, with United yet to make contact
The ‘Special One’ is now considering managing outside the Premier League, with the only realistic English outfit for him to manage yet to make contact with him.
A report by the Guardian last evening states: “José Mourinho would consider working outside of the Premier League in his next job, with the Portuguese yet to be contacted by Manchester United regarding potentially replacing Louis van Gaal as manager.
Mourinho’s first choice is United should there be a vacancy but given the uncertainty over Van Gaal’s future and the club’s reluctance to so far embark upon even preliminary discussions, the 53-year-old is closing no option off.”
Mourinho may agree to manage in Portugal
The report goes on to add that Ed Woodward is likely to retain Louis Van Gaal as the manager next season if he manages to keep Manchester United in the top four.
With Manchester City 6 points clear of United in the fourth position, the Red Devils could still put together a successful run and qualify for Champions League next season. This is prompting the United management to hold their search for a new manager.
Citing this development, the report says that Mourinho is open to managing even in the Portuguese League.
“The former Chelsea manager would also be minded to accept a position outside England should that prove his next-best career move. He is also open to managing another elite-level club in Portuguese football though there appears little prospect of an opportunity arising there in the near future.
Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, remains fully supportive of Van Gaal and given the recent improvement in displays and results, there is hope the Dutchman could still guide United to a Champions League place.
With 13 matches remaining Van Gaal’s side are six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. If Van Gaal was to take United to fourth position or better it is understood Woodward might decide to let Van Gaal serve out the final year of his contract.”
What next for Mourinho?
Having been sacked by Chelsea FC, and with Manchester City appointing Pep Guardiola, it is unlikely that any other top club in England would be interested in Mourinho’s services, with the obvious exception of Manchester United. Even the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC have got themselves an ideal manager in Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp respectively.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have already announced Carlo Ancelotti as their replacement for Guardiola. Having already fallen out with players and staff at Real Madrid, and with the FC Barcelona job being out of question, there are only a handful of options now available for Mourinho across Europe.
Some of the teams in the Italian Serie A are probably his best bet, or as the report from the Guardian suggests, a move back to his native Portugal.
