Jose Mourinho Set to Leave AS Roma
Jose Mourinho took charge of AS Roma in 2021 following what is largely considered an unsuccessful spell with Tottenham Hotspur. The Portuguese technician has not made the Giallorossi world-beaters but his achievements at Stadio Olimpico are still respectable.
Mourinho led AS Roma to a win in the 2021/22 UEFA Conference League and then to the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League final where they lost to Sevilla. The Wolves have been less impressive in Serie A, though, finishing sixth in the two seasons under the 60-year-old and currently sitting seventh.
With Mourinho’s contract at AS Roma due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season, there have been reliable reports stating that the club will not offer him an extension. Despite the love Mourinho has received from the local fans, the relationship between him and the president Dan Friedkin is not the best, so the parties are expected to call it quits next summer.
List of Jose Mourinho Possible Next Club
It is important to remember that, at the moment, there have been little rumours as to where Jose Mourinho will be heading next summer. However, we have compiled a list of potential destinations based on the existing information and past interest.
West Ham
According to reports in England, West Ham are interested in appointing Jose Mourinho in case of David Moyes’ departure. Similarly, the Scottsman contract with the Irons is due to end in the summer and it remains unclear whether he will sign an extension.
Moreover, Moyes was on the brink of losing his job last season when West Ham were struggling in the Premier League. Despite finishing 14th, the 60-year-old was successful in leading the Hammers to victory in the 2022/23 UEFA Conference League victory – their first European trophy in over 40 years – and thus kept his job.
Jose Mourinho knows what it means to coach in the Premier League as he worked with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. He even led the Blues to three league titles during his two spells at Stamford Bridge. Additionally, Mourinho’s football is not that different from what Moyes has been setting up at West Ham, so the players would have it easy adapting to it.
Real Madrid
Another club that will be looking for a new coach next year is Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to take charge of Brazil in June next year once his deal at Santiago Bernabeu runs out.
Last season, when Ancelotti was at the risk of sacking due to poor performances in La Liga, Jose Mourinho’s name came up in the Spanish press as a short-term replacement. Since the Portuguese managed Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, he would need little time settling in.
While many remember Jose Mourinho’s time at Real Madrid due to the rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, it should be noted that his team won just three trophies (including one La Liga title) in those three seasons, being outplayed by the Catalans more often than not.
Moreover, the 60-year-old’s peak coaching years seem to be over and Real Madrid will likely want someone with a modern approach to the game who will be in charge at the Bernabeu for years to come.
Porto
Another beautiful homecoming story would be for Jose Mourinho to return to Porto, the club where he made a name for himself in the early 2000s. The contract of their current coach, Sergio Conceicao, is due to expire next summer and there are reasons to believe that he will not be offered an extension after losing the league title last term.
Mourinho’s story at Estadio Dragao is truly a special one. A promising manager at the time, Mourinho took charge of a struggling Porto mid-season in 2001/02 and managed to achieve a top four finish. In the two seasons that followed, Mourinho led Porto to back-to-back league titles and even won the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League – their last such trophy to date.
Mourinho will not necessarily be in the public eye while at Porto but his experience and knowledge may prove invaluable in the Portuguese league, and he is also likely to feature regularly in the UEFA Champions League again.
Any other mid-table Premier League club
This part is less specific because it is so far difficult to say which mid-table Premier League team will need a new coach next summer. However, we understand that England reportedly remains Jose Mourinho’s priority destination once his journey at Stadio Olimpico comes to an end.
While the top sides in the Premier League may no longer view the 60-year-old as a viable long-term candidate, Mourinho’s ability to work with what resources are available make him a dream signing for any team outside of the top six.
To name a few, Everton would make a great destination for Mourinho as he would improve on the work of Sean Dyche. Bournemouth, whose decision to appoint Andoni Iraola appears to have backfired, may be an interesting option as well. Clubs like Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers would surely love to see Mourinho lead their training sessions as long as they can afford his contract.
Any Saudi Pro League club
If money is what Jose Mourinho is after, there are few better destinations than the Saudi Pro League. Besides the football stars they have recently brought over, the league can also boast a handful of solid managers like Jorge Jesus or Nuno Espiroto Santo. Even so, Jose Mourinho would certainly dwarf them all.
In fact, Jose Mourinho was already approached by various Saudi clubs this past summer, as per reports at the time. However, the Portuguese technician decided to fulfil his contract with AS Roma instead.
Similar to our previous part, it is difficult to say which exact Saudi Pro League club would be most interested in Jose Mourinho. The big four – Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr, which were acquired by the Public Investment Fund in June 2023 – are the obvious favourites but other clubs may still be able to afford his services.