Mourinho's two conditions to become Portugal coach

Stuart Telford

• 17 Dec 2022 21:17 GMT
• 3 min read

Jose Mourinho has been linked with the Portugal manager's job following Fernando Santos' sacking, but he will only leave Roma for his country's top job if two conditions are satisfied…

Mourinho is one of the most successful coaches in football history, winning the Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan as well as three Premier League titles with Chelsea, where he was first dubbed "the Special One" in 2004.

Currently the head coach at Roma, whom he guided to Europa Conference League glory in May, Mourinho is at the top of the Portuguese Football Federation's shortlist of Santos replacements after the Euro 2016 winner was sacked following their quarter-final exit from the World Cup.

READ: Why Mourinho is perfect for Portugal job

Mourinho and Portugal might seem to be a match made in heaven for some fans of Europe's Selecao, but the 59-year-old won't simply up sticks and leave Roma.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, he has two conditions: 1) that he gets to see out the season with Roma and 2) that he is guaranteed to keep the job until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, irrespective of how Portugal do at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Roma are currently seventh in Serie A and remain in with a chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League, with just three points to make up on city rivals Lazio, who are in fourth as things stand. Whilst he completes that mission, Portugal could appoint an interim head coach.

READ: 'Cristiano Ronaldo could decide to retire'

Post-Ronaldo era

The second clause may be a bigger ask, but Mourinho has an argument that the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era with the national team will need time to mature.

Former Portugal midfielder Maniche, who won the Champions League under Mourinho with Porto in 2004 before reuniting with his manager at Chelsea two year later, thinks his appointment would be a good idea, regardless of his conditions.

told Radio Renascenca that the 59-year-old would do a good job if he took over.

"He's an experienced coach who's very prepared for difficulties because he knows our football and football abroad," he told Portuguese station Radio Renascenca.

"He's intelligent and knows how to deal with young people. He's already adapted to this generation and proved it by winning a title at Roma, which didn't happen a few years ago."