Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Jose Mourinho in recent weeks, but he remains committed to SL Benfica.
According to a report by O Jogo and Record via Sport Witness, Jose Mourinho is uninterested in joining Newcastle United in the summer. The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager is currently in charge of Benfica, and the latest report has brought bad news for the Magpies.
Mourinho is committed to the Portuguese club, as has been relayed previously as well. The 63-year-old not looking to move in the summer, and the development will come as a blow to Newcastle United.
The Magpies have had a disappointing season so far, and they are languishing in the mid-table spots. They were expected to fight for European qualification at the start of the season. The Tyneside outfit spent a substantial amount of money on players, and missing out on European football will be a blow for them.
Given their struggles this season, the future of Eddie Howe has been a topic of constant speculation. It will be interesting to see if Newcastle United are prepared to show faith in the English tactician. He is a talented young manager who has impressed at the Premier League club previously.
However, Newcastle United need someone who can deliver trophies and consistently qualify for Europe. Someone with a proven pedigree and experience would be ideal. Mourinho would have been an excellent addition for them. The 63-year-old has won multiple Premier League and Champions League titles throughout his career, and he could have helped Newcastle compete with top clubs.
Jose Mourinho career stats
-
FC Porto: 72% win percentage, 6 trophies
-
Real Madrid: 71% win percentage, 3 trophies
-
Inter Milan: 65% win percentage, 5 trophies
-
AS Roma: 60% win percentage, 1 trophy
-
SL Benfica: 60% win percentage, 0 trophies
-
Chelsea: 59% win percentage, 8 trophies
-
Manchester United: 58% win percentage, 3 trophies
-
Tottenham Hotpsur: 52% win percentage, 0 trophies
-
Fenerbahce: 49% win percentage, 0 trophies
Newcastle United have the resources to sign quality players, but they need an elite manager to help them compete regularly with top clubs. Appointing someone like Mourinho could make them an attractive destination for quality players as well.
That said, Howe helped them win the EFL Cup last season. There is no doubt the Englishman is a quality manager, and the club hierarchy should remain patient with him if they fail to bring in an elite replacement. As for Mourinho, he will be hoping to guide Benfica to success in the coming months. He has done reasonably well at the Portuguese club so far.
