Not many would have predicted it would end up like this. Almost eight months since Chelsea won the title and five months since he signed a contract extension with the club, José Mourinho is unemployed and it’s largely unknown as to where the Portuguese will go next.
A scarcely believable bad start to this campaign led to his demise in London. Bad result after bad result gave Roman Abramovich no choice but to pull the trigger once again and sack Mourinho for the second time. For a manager who had the world at his feet less than 12 months ago, he is now suddenly short of realistic and likely options. What are the possible future jobs for José Mourinho?
Manchester United
The rumour that simply won’t go away. Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is Ed Woodward’s best business partner and his camp is supposedly pushing hard to install the Portuguese at the helm at the end of the season. Louis Van Gaal is hardly secure in his position, and it seems in all likelihood that he won’t be at United beyond this season.
It is not that simple for Mourinho to replace him. Many key Old Trafford officials are wary of appointing such a controversial and outspoken manager prone to embarrassing himself and his club in press conferences, and are against giving him the job. Mendes’ power could be key, as he has significant influence over Woodward.
Paris Saint-Germain
A club with which Mourinho has been linked since he left Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain would be a logical next move. Money, prestige and another country for him to have a crack at, he’d become the first manager to win the league title in five different leagues following his success with Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid.
However, the Paris giants are supposedly keen to extend current manager Laurent Blanc’s contract. They are doing well in the Champions League (facing Chelsea in the next round) and are the only team in Europe’s five biggest leagues still to be unbeaten domestically. It appears that, barring a massive change in the club’s fortunes, Mourinho is not a massive contender for the role.
Real Madrid
Not too long ago this seemed like a neck and neck choice between Madrid and Manchester. Florentino Perez was interested in bringing Mourinho back for a second spell, and the stars were aligning for his return the same way they did at Chelsea. A couple of weeks later though Rafa Benitez has been predictably sacked, and it is club legend Zinedine Zidane who has taken control of the world’s most powerful club.
As well as the fact Mourinho has a bad relationship with club captain Sergio Ramos, Madrid have looked brilliant in their two games under Zidane so far. They trounced Deportivo 5-0 and Sporting 5-1, and already look a team unleashed under his guidance. It’s likely he will be given the full time job in the summer, unless the new manager effect does not last.
Portugal
Mourinho has long spoken of his plan to one day manage his country, and desired to do so at the back end of his career. With his current lack of options though, this plan could be accelerated forward to the present. Portugal have long underachieved on the international stage, and again struggled to get across the line in qualifying for this summer’s European Championship.
If they again fall short in the tournament, Fernando Santos’ job security will come into serious question. Could Mourinho be tempted into an international role to re-establish his reputation? It’s possible.
England
The curve ball on the list. Roy Hodgson’s team breezed through qualifying as easily as they ever have. They have a young exciting core, with plenty of depth coming through the ranks after years of underachievement. If they fall again at a big tournament Hodgson may not survive and the job might become available. Could Mourinho be tempted to take control?
England have shown they can take chances on non-British managers, but Fabio Capello’s experience may have put them off. The Portuguese has also used the transfer market for success in the past, and it would be interesting how he would manage when that’s not a factor. England appear committed to Hodgson, and at the moment it’s a long shot, but not out of the question.
The chase for Mourinho will continue or, to be more precise, it is the chase for him to find himself a job. He is not in demand the same way he has been in the past, and not many would have thought he would be here now. A lot could change between now and the summer as regards domestic and international positions, but Mourinho is now at a crossroads in what was shaping up to be one of the all-time greatest managerial careers.
