Jose Mourinho recently turned down managerial job he was the 'first and only choice' for

Jose Mourinho recently turned down an offer to become manager of the Portugal national team despite being told he was first choice for the job.

The 59-year-old is currently in charge of Serie A outfit Roma, who he guided to Europa Conference League glory last season.

Mourinho's previously admitted he'd like to try his hand at international management in the future after spending the last two decades at club level.

Portugal parted ways with Fernando Santos in the summer following their World Cup elimination at the hands of Morocco. Roberto Martinez was confirmed as his replacement earlier this week, but PFP president Fernando Gomes made contact with Mourinho first.

'The Special One' ended up rejecting their advances to stay at Roma. He explained per the Daily Mail: "The fact that the president of the FPF said that I was not his first choice, but his only choice makes me proud. But I decided not to go. I'm here and that's what matters."

In 2020, Mourinho discussed potentially managing his nation at a major competition. Surprisingly, it doesn't sound like something he'd be interested in.He declared back in 2020: "Yes, I want to coach a national team, I want to have the experience of a World Cup and European Championship, the emotion of the short competition.

"Is Portugal the one I want to do? On one side yes as it is my heart. But it is very difficult to do it with the country you were born in."

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Earlier this week, a former player of Mourinho's sensationally claimed he will take charge of the Brazil national team and employ him as an assistant.

Brazil, like Portugal, decided to cut ties with Tite following an underwhelming campaign out in Qatar. Despite being favourites for the tournament, Brazil were dumped out at the quarter-final stage by Croatia on penalties.

Ex-Porto forward Carlos Alberto suggested Mourinho will take charge of the Selecao and he'll be his number two.

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He said: "I was going to drop a bomb here, but I can't. I'll talk then. Maybe [Mourinho) is the coach of the Brazilian team. Speaking first hand. It's information.

"It doesn't matter where the information comes from, I'm giving you the information... because he even invited me [to be his No.2]."

Mourinho has a fondness for Brazil, regularly claiming Ronaldo Nazario is the greatest player he'd ever seen ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.