Jose Mourinho was fired as Roma’s manager after three years in charge of the capital club, following a 3-1 loss to AC Milan on Sunday that he was forced to watch from the stands.
In each of his previous five positions, the Portuguese manager has either been fired or left by mutual consent; Roma is the most recent to do so.
Though Mourinho’s tenure in Rome was not without achievement, in the 2021/22 season—his first as manager—he led Roma to win the UEFA Europa Conference League title, ending an 11-year trophy drought. In the process, he made history as the first manager to win all three UEFA continental competitions.
He assisted Roma in the next year’s UEFA Europa League final, which they eventually lost to reigning champions Sevilla on penalties.
Mourinho was fired following a run of unsatisfactory performances that have left Roma in ninth place in the Serie A standings. It is unlikely, though, that “The Special One” is finished with us just yet.
Newcastle
Eddie Howe faces pressure to improve results at St James’ Park for the first time since he took over at Newcastle.
The Saudi-owned team, which is currently tenth in the Premier League, was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after being placed in a challenging group that also included AC Milan, PSG, and Borussia Dortmund.
The Magpies’ team has struggled with injuries this season, which has hurt their performance. However, the ownership is unlikely to take that into account because they will want instant success, which they believe Mourinho can provide.
While at Roma, the Portuguese manager bemoaned the lack of funds available, something he is unlikely to experience in the northeast of England.
After two stints managing Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United, all of which had varied degrees of success, this would be Mourinho’s fifth stint in England at his third different club.
England
The England position would be Mourinho’s first international challenge and one that would probably cause opinions to diverge. The role is frequently referred to as a poisoned chalice because of the high expectations and lack of positive outcomes.
Since taking over as manager of the England national team in late 2016, Gareth Southgate has guided the Three Lions to two World Cup semifinals in 2018 and 2022, as well as the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley Stadium, where they were defeated on penalties.
Southgate will likely stay in charge for Euro 2024, but this may be his final opportunity to bring home a trophy as his country’s manager. Supporters are becoming increasingly impatient as they wait to see a trophy since the World Cup of 1966.
Mourinho has an impressive track record of winning trophies at the club level, but it remains to be seen if that will translate to the international game.
Porto
In what was only Mourinho’s second season in charge of the Portuguese behemoths, Porto upset all the odds and won the Champions League in 2004. This move would make many people nostalgic.
They have advanced to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, where they will take on Arsenal, and they are currently ranked third in the Liga Portugal, behind Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.
Anything less than a top two finish in the league would be disappointing for Porto, as they haven’t done so since the 2015–16 campaign.
Since taking over in 2017, Sergio Conceicao, the manager at the moment, has frequently been linked away. After spending twenty years away from the team, Mourinho is believed to be high on the list in case Conceicao leaves.
Al-Shabab
Not just athletes have been flocking to Saudi Arabia lately: Steven Gerrard, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Marcelo Gallardo have all taken up managerial roles in the country across the gulf.
“The Special One” has previously acknowledged that he sees himself leading the nation at some point, and it is said that Al-Shabab is prepared to provide him with the chance to do so.
In either his managerial or playing career, Mourinho would be leaving Europe for the first time with any move.
Al-Shabab is presently ranked eleventh in the SPL standings, so Mourinho’s hiring would send a message to the other teams in the league.
Chelsea
Given that Mauricio Pochettino is having trouble making the most of the players available to him despite spending more than £1 billion since Todd Boehly took over, a third stint in west London is not completely out of the question.
Chelsea, who have made far more squad investments than their opponents, have found it difficult to compete with teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal this season. They are currently ranked ninth.
Considering his significant investment, Todd Boehly reportedly wants greater success than what has come before.
Pochettino may have performed his final remontada at the Bridge, which would probably be his final job there, if he keeps flattering and misleading.
In other parts of Saudi
Mourinho is likely to end up at another SPL club at some point if Al-Shabab are unable to appoint him.
Although the Portuguese player might be waiting for a high-level position in Europe before moving to Asia, a Saudi club would seem to be his most likely destination if nothing suitable comes up for him soon.
Nuno, a fellow countryman, has already visited and left the Gulf nation. Any club that is spending a substantial sum of money on personnel must prioritize instant success, something that many believe Mourinho could provide.
The 60-year-old has had a remarkable career spanning more than 20 years, and it doesn’t appear that he is finished playing the beautiful game just yet.
