Topics: Jose Mourinho, Newcastle United, Premier League, Manchester United
Jose Mourinho has previously voiced his admiration for Newcastle United in comments that will potentially intrigue fans as speculation continues to swirl surrounding his future.
The former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United manager, 60, was sacked by Italian side AS Roma on Tuesday after a two-and-a-half year stint in charge at the Stadio Olimpico.
In a club statement, Roma's American owners, Dan and Ryan Friedkin, thanked Mourinho for his "passion and efforts" after a spell that featured a Europa Conference League win in May 2022.
"We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interests of the club," they said.
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"We wish Jose and his assistants all the best in their future endeavours."
Mourinho has since been linked with a number of jobs, including the Newcastle United post. In fact, 'The Special One' is 3-1 favourite to take Eddie Howe's job, according to Oddschecker.
So would he take it? Mourinho was asked about a potential return to the Premier League with Newcastle in 2021 and admitted to having an "emotional connection" to the club.
"On Newcastle, I don't have anything to say. Absolutely nothing to say," he added.
"The only thing I can say is that for many, many years, I worked with one of the most important figures in the history of Newcastle, Sir Bobby Robson, and so because of that I have always had a bit of an emotional connection with that city and that fanbase. But it's nothing more than that."
Mourinho, who worked under Sir Bobby Robson during the former England manager's time at Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto and Barcelona, would also express his affection for the North East club in 2022.
He would also bring up his relationship with the late Sir Bobby Robson. “I learnt what Newcastle is and how to like the club very much through Sir Bobby’s eyes and heart,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’m very happy that they found their stability. Eddie (Howe) is doing good work, the club gave the tools for a change in the January market and I wish them the best.”
Mourinho recently expressed his desire to stay at AS Roma after being linked with the Newcastle job but following his sacking, the Portuguese manager will be on the lookout for a new role.
Is Newcastle the perfect destination? Let us know.
