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Topics: Jose Mourinho, Fenerbahce, Portugal
Josh Lawless
Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce contract is believed to contain a secret clause which allows him to leave for one team.
Mourinho has agreed a return to management after being out of work since January following his sacking from Roma.
According to reports, the 61-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the option of a third.
The role at the Turkish giants will be Mourinho's 11th managerial job, in the fifth league.
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But it's emerged that the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager will be free to leave but only if one job opportunity arises.
According to Calcio Mercato, via NTV Spor, a clause has been added to his contract whereby he will be free to depart if the Portugal national team come in for him.
The club will therefore not be able to stand in his way and he will effectively be released from his contract.
Mourinho has never managed a national team in his decorated career and it is the only thing he is yet to do in management.
He has had many offers over the years, including from England and Portugal.
His home country reportedly came in for him during his time at Real, and then later when he was Roma boss but he rejected their advances and stayed put.
Roberto Martinez took the reins after Fernando Santos was dismissed following a disappointing World Cup campaign in 2022.
"First time when I was at Real Madrid but Florentino told me, 'no chance'," he said in an interview with Fabrizio Romano.
"The second time was at Roma, I was sacked a few months later… but I don’t regret that because I’m happy with the reason."
Mourinho discussed the situation further in an interview, telling the Korean EA Sports FC YouTube channel that not accepting the Portugal gig was a "mistake".
He said: "I got emotional when I didn’t accept the last offer, because I decided to stay at Roma and I think I made a mistake.
"Because now Portugal has a fantastic team, one of the best, in the top five.
"I knew it, but I felt a great connection with Roma, with the fans, so I didn’t want to make that decision."
Mourinho was sacked by Roma after a poor run of form left them in eighth place in Serie A, with his last game a Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to rivals Lazio.