Jose Mourinho revealed that he is toying with the idea of returning to Portugal as a manager and that he is eager to do it while at his best and not as a closing chapter of his career. The 62-year-old who is now in his second year of a contract with the Turkish club Fenerbahce shared his thoughts after a 2-1 friendly victory over Portimonense at Albufeira.
The former Chelsea, Inter, and Real Madrid coach told Sport TV: “I am certainly coming to Portugal. It still has not happened, but it will. Not because I feel that I am near the end; on the contrary, I feel very far from that. I want to arrive in Portugal at my peak, in good health, and physically and mentally fit.”
Following his impressive achievement of winning the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004 before sticking out a successful managerial career in Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma, Mourinho has been triumphant in Europe with 26 major trophies in total. Though now operating outside the traditional big five leagues, the level of commitment to success at the highest level is still there.
When Mourinho was asked whether he favors a role with a club or the national team in Portugal, he just gave the answer “Anything.” While he refuted the rumors that he has had recent negotiations with the Portuguese Football Federation, he admitted that he has declined the offers to be the coach of the national side in the past. The position of the head coach of Portugal is still held by Roberto Martinez.