Despite rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer, Roma manager Jose Mourinho has expressed a willingness to return there in the future. He could continue his managerial career in the Middle East. Jose Mourinho claims that Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year motivated him to make a move to the Middle Eastern country later in his career.
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Cristiano Ronaldo inspiring Jose Mourinho Saudi move
Jose Mourinho, the manager of Roma, claims to have received the “biggest and craziest offer” in managing history. This offer apparently came from Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal, where Neymar plays. Mourinho’s future plans, though, have been motivated by Ronaldo’s January transfer to Al-Nassr.
During his two-year tenure with Roma, Mourinho has enjoyed success. He has won the Europa Conference League in his first season. He has also reached the Europa League final in his second season.
Ronaldo’s move to Riyadh came two months after his mutual departure from Manchester United. It was followed by a slew of European-based stars, including Neymar, Ruben Neves, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson to move to Saudi.
Jose Mourinho joined the board of directors of Saudi Arabia’s Mahd Sports Academy early this year. But he has now expressed a desire to relocate to the country to continue his managing career. This is despite the fact that he is not yet finished in Rome.
Mourinho’s words
Jose Mourinho said, ‘During the holidays, I received the biggest and craziest offer a coach has ever received in the history of football. And I turned it down. I did so because I’d given my word to my players, I’d given my word to the fans and I’d given my word to the club owner.’
He continued, ‘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. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this [working in Saudi Arabia]. Doors are always open for me in Saudi Arabia. I want to feel the development there.’
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Mourinho went on to say that it was Ronaldo’s January move to the Middle Eastern country that inspired him to contemplate his own future in heading to Saudi Arabia, even if he had previously been hesitant.
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.’
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