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Rio Ferdinand has revealed the perfect next job for Jose Mourinho following his Roma sacking.
Mourinho was relieved of his duties last week, with the Italian giants currently eighth in Serie A.
'The Special One' won the Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022. It was the club's first major European honour in 61 years.
He's currently out of work but has been linked with several top jobs worldwide.
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Mourinho denied last week that he had any concrete plans lined up after reports claimed he'd reached an agreement with Saudi Pro League outfit Al Shabab.
The 60-year-old is in no rush to return to the dugout and will wait for the perfect opportunity to arise. Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand believes he has a solution.
Speaking on Vibe With Five, Ferdinand claimed Mourinho would be the perfect successor for England manager Gareth Southgate.
He said: "I don't think the FA [would] hire a Jose Mourinho. I would.
"But I don't think the FA… they're not going from Gareth Southgate to Mourinho. That's too big of a difference in character and personality. It's not happening.
"Yeah […] [that’s like going from] ready salted to vindaloo, bruv. It’s not happening."
Southgate's contract with the Three Lions expires in December 2024. Rather than it expiring immediately after Euro 2024, Southgate has a 'cooling off' period because of a request from FA technical director John McDermott and chief executive Mark Bullingham.
Ferdinand later admitted he'd love to see Mourinho return to the Premier League for a third spell with Chelsea.
He also added a stint with Newcastle United, who'd be his fourth English club, would be exciting.
The 45-year-old continued: "To Chelsea? Mourinho? No chance.
"These guys… these Americans don’t go backwards like that. Not backwards in talent or class… They’re not going backwards and getting… that [the appointment of Frank Lampard] was an interim stopgap.
“I would love to see Jose back there, I’ve got to be honest. Me, personally, Jose, please, I hope you get the job, if [Mauricio] Pochettino doesn't do well. I think they’re gonna stay with Pochettino.
Ferdinand continued: "If he doesn't go [to] Chelsea, where’s he go? Newcastle? I would love to see him there.
"But Eddie Howe, man, he’s been unreal. Yeah, but I wouldn’t want to see Eddie go."
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Southgate, England
Daniel Marland