Newcastle and five jobs Jose Mourinho could take after Roma sacking

Tom Weber

• Updated: 16 Jan 2024 09:35 GMT
• 4 min read

Jose Mourinho has been surprisingly sacked by Roma.

The Portuguese coaching legend has once again suffered from third-season syndrome and was given the boot mere days after describing himself as the "perfect example of professionalism."

Roma bosses clearly did not agree and decided to make a change with their club languishing ninth in Serie A and having just been bounced from the Coppa Italia by hated city rivals Lazio.

Mourinho's contract was due to expire in the summer anyway, so there have already been plenty of links to clubs and countries in recent months. Here are five jobs the former Chelsea and Man Utd boss could take next.

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe is under pressure at Newcastle, having failed to build on last season's successful campaign. The Magpies, decimated by injuries this term, are tenth in the Premier League and this is obviously not good enough for the Saudi bigwigs who have spent lavishly since acquiring the club.

Newcastle were previously interested in Mourinho and links to the 60-year-old have occasionally cropped up again in recent times. It would be a quite spectacular return to the Premier League for the Portuguese.

Saudi Pro League

Unsurprisingly, given that he has been linked to Saudi-backed Newcastle, Mourinho has also been heavily associated with taking charge of one of the big four Saudi Pro League clubs, who are owned by the Public Investment Fund.

He has reportedly had record-breaking offers on the table and has openly declared that he will eventually work in Saudi Arabia. It seems to be the most realistic next destination for him.

England national team

Despite his age, it has been asserted in recent months that Jose Mourinho is still admired by the decision-makers in the English FA. With Gareth Southgate likely departing the senior men's national team after Euro 2024 in Germany, a new head coach will need to be brought in.

After already being interested in hiring Mourinho more than 15 years ago, the Portuguese has reportedly been again considered as an option.

Brazil national team

After the shocking news that Carlo Ancelotti had extended his Real Madrid contract, the Brazilian FA had to look for a new coach, ultimately settling on Sao Paulo's Dorival Junior.

Junior has been given a contract until December 2026, but if he isn't able to turn things around, he could be gone as quickly as he arrived. Mourinho would be a box-office appointment, though it would certainly be a controversial hire given that his footballing philosophy seems diametrically opposed to Brazil's.

Portugal national team

Finally, of course, there is Portugal, Mourinho's home country. The experienced coach has often been linked with his country's head coaching role, though nothing has thus far materialised.

Current boss Roberto Martinez is a coach who divides opinions and an unsuccessful Euro 2024 could end his time in charge, paving the way for Mourinho to finally take charge of his country's national team.