Ex-Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has emerged as the prime target for Borussia Dortmund should they sack Lucien Favre, according to reports in Germany.
The Portuguese manager, 56, was axed at Old Trafford last season and has regularly appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports.
But the 'Special One' has admitted that he is eager to return to management and is waiting for the right challenge to emerge.
According to German newspaper Bild, Mourinho is Dortmund's top target should they decide to axe Favre from the club.
The newspaper claims that the former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager has been learning German and is 'ambitious' to become fluent in the language.
Mourinho, who has been linked with Madrid, is attracted by the prospect of managing in the Bundesliga and Dortmund are keen to end Bayern Munich's dominance of the German league.
While there is no urgency to dismiss Favre from his post, the club's hierarchy have Mourinho as their number one choice should they pull the trigger.
Bild also reports that the 'Special One' is a 'friend' of Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who would be instrumental in luring the trophy-winning Mourinho to the club.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in July, the former United boss admitted that he 'missed' football and the 'adrenaline' that came from coaching.
And he also confirmed at the time that he had started to learn German and refused to rule out a move to the Bundesliga.
He explained: "Right now, I am studying German.
"Bundesliga? Now I'm studying German because I miss the language.
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"I speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. But I do not exclude anything, not even Germany."
Dortmund, who finished two points behind champions Bayern Munich last season, are fourth in the German league and one point behind league leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.
Favre's men also face a tough task in the Champions League after being placed in the so-called 'Group of Death' alongside Inter Milan, Barcelona and Slavia Praha.
Dortmund, who are level on points with Barca, will travel to the San Siro today for their Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
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