Jose Mourinho is someone never far from the headlines, and since moving to Turkish side Fenerbahce, he has even flirted with a return to the Premier League – but has ruled out a job he claims he would ‘never’ take.
Mourinho, 61, has not managed in the Premier League since leaving Spurs in 2021. English fans will know him best for his two spells at Chelsea, during which he won a combined three league titles before managing Manchester United to a second-place finish behind champions Manchester City in 2018.
The Portuguese also guided the Red Devils to the 2017 League Cup and the Europa League in the same year. But he has not secured a league title at any of his clubs since the 2014-15 triumph league-winning season at Chelsea.
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These days, he is widely considered to be a level below the likes of top managers such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. But winning is something ingrained in Mourinho’s DNA, which was apparent when he saw his Roma side secure the 2022 Conference League.
Although he was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in Istanbul in June 2024, things have not played out as well as he would’ve liked, with Fenerbahçe sitting third in the Super Lig - seven points behind league leaders and city-rivals Galatasaray.
As a result, Mourinho has seemingly put the feelers out for his next move, and it could be a return to the Premier League.
“I think the best thing I have to do is when I leave Fenerbahce, I go to a club that doesn't play UEFA competitions,” he said after his side’s 1-1 draw with Man United last week.
"So, if any club in England from the bottom of the table needs a coach in two years, I am ready to go, and I don't want to say anything more about it."
Despite making the shocking admission he has since backtracked claiming he “made a joke”.
"I'm never going to a team fighting relegation,” he told Sky Sports.
“I will never go."
"But I'm not going to fight relegation,” he added.
“It's too hard! Honestly, I believe that has to be the hardest thing.
"It's more difficult than playing for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally because it's something that changes lives. I think it's brave guys that do it."
The Portuguese also explained how "London is home" while admitting that "one day" he would like to return to the city.
So, if you're a West Ham, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Arsenal or Fulham fan you may be in for a Mourinho-shaped surprise at your club in the future - if he doesn't return to Spurs or Chelsea that is.
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Premier League, Fenerbahce, Chelsea, Manchester United, Europa League
Luke Davies