Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: FIFA Club World Cup, Jose Mourinho, Premier League
Chris Nee
Jose Mourinho could miss out on the FIFA Club World Cup and a big money move to the Saudi Pro League.
Mourinho was believed to be in the frame for the vacant managerial position at Al Hilal, where club legend Mohammad Al-Shalhoub is in temporary charge of the team sitting in second place and preparing to take part in the Club World Cup this summer.
Former Benfica boss Jorge Jesus left Al Hilal for the second time on Saturday with talk of the Brazil job building, leaving the Public Investment Fund-owned club to find a new manager in double quick time before they take on Real Madrid in Miami on 18 June.
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Al Hilal's enchantment with Portuguese coaches looks like to continue but it's not Fenerbahce's Mourinho or Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo who's expected to get the nod.
According to Al-Riyadh journalist Adbullah Al-Hanyan, Fulham boss Marco Silva – who shares Jorge Mendes and Gestifute as his representation with Mourinho and Nuno as well as Al Hilal duo Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo – has agreed to leave the Premier League to take over the Riyadh outfit.
"The management of Al Hilal received the approval of the Portuguese coach Marco Silva," reports Al-Hanyan.
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Reporting in London indicates that Silva could well be on the move.
"talkSPORT understands the 47-year-old, who is contracted to Craven Cottage until 2026, is stalling on a new deal," report Alex Crook and Sean O'Brien.
"Silva has been made a non-binding offer to join Saudi giants Al Hilal – who are Asia's most decorated football club and will compete in the Club World Cup this summer.
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"However, Fulham are yet to be approached by Hilal. The Saudi club also have Simone Inzaghi and Nuno Espirito Santo as options for the vacancy left by Jorge Jesus.
"Silva is understood to be open to the role, having previously turned down Saudi offers, with both he and Fulham now waiting for Hilal to make the next move."
Mourinho could be in need of another escape route from Istanbul, where his season in charge of Fenerbahce has seen them secure second place with relative ease but rarely look capable of catching bitter rivals Galatasaray.
Fenerbahce are currently eight points behind Galatasaray as Mourinho approaches the end of what's proved a difficult campaign.
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