Jose Mourinho has stated that he would manage in the Saudi Pro League and has ruled out a return to Real Madrid. After his compatriot, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, led the way by joining Al-Nassr, with a flood of players later signing for Saudi Pro League sides, Roma coach Jose Mourinho said he absolutely intends to work in Saudi Arabia one day.
Despite rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer, Roma manager Jose Mourinho has expressed a willingness to return there in the future. The Portuguese also gave an update if he would be returning to Real Madrid. He was manager of Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013.
Jose Mourinho open to moving to Saudi Pro League
According to Daily Mail, when his contract expires at the conclusion of the season, Jose Mourinho is anticipated to quit Roma. The Portuguese seemed confident of moving to Saudi Arabia. He said, ‘I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there. I don’t know when, but I am pretty sure of it.’
He continued, ‘I am committed to my work with Roma and I want to give everything to the club until the last day. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this (working in Saudi Arabia).’
The Portuguese, Mourinho, 60, reportedly stated that he turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia in the summer. This was in order to continue with Roma for a third season. Mourinho lead the team to the Conference League title and the UEFA Europa League final.
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Jose also spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence in footballers moving to Saudi Arabia. He said, ‘Cristiano was the first to go there and give a different perspective immediately. The players thought at first that it was a one-man show but they realised in the summer that everything was really changing. Many players, not just at the last period of their careers, but also some players at the best years of their careers, are coming because the competition is real, not just at domestic League, but also the AFC Champions League is very interesting.’
Mourinho rules out Real Madrid return
Jose Mourinho was also asked if he could see himself returning to Real Madrid one day. This is amid the contract uncertainty of Carlo Ancelotti at the Los Blancos. The Portuguese seemed to rule out the idea of returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.
He said, ‘Me at Real Madrid? When you have a super coach, why should you think of another?…I hope that the season goes fantastically and that next season Carlo is still there because I think he is the perfect coach for Real Madrid.’
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Jose Mourinho continued, ‘I think only a crazy person like me can leave Real without the club wanting to. I left even though Real and José Sánchez wanted me to stay. I’m sure that Carlo will decide to stay as soon as Florentino Pérez calls him.’