da supremo： The Portuguese was sacked on Tuesday morning, but it might not be long before he returns to coaching as he's unlikely to be short on offers
da stake casino： Jose Mourinho is out of a job again. Despite leading Roma to victory in the Conference League in his first season at Roma, the Portuguese has been sacked after a disastrous run of results that has left the Giallorossi ninth in the Serie A standings.
The obvious question now is, where next for 'The Special One'? His reputation as a top-class manager has taken a battering over the past decade, but he's unlikely to be short on offers. There is no denying that he retains a remarkable ability to create siege mentalities and whip fans into a frenzy.
Things may have turned sour behind the scenes at Stadio Olimpico, but he did form an incredible bond with Roma supporters. He also remains box office, given he continues to court controversy like no other manager in the game today, making him an attractive proposition for clubs looking to boost their profile.
So, with all of that in mind, GOAL runs through some of the clubs – and countries – that might be willing to take a risk on one of the most divisive but successful figures in football…
(C)GettyImages8Barcelona
Mourinho had several supporters on the Barcelona board when he was first tipped to take over at Camp Nou back in 2008. However, Joan Laporta went with Pep Guardiola because he wanted to remain true to the club's Johan Cruyff-inspired footballing philosophy. It was a similar story when Mourinho was again linked with the role six years later, and the pragmatic Portuguese remains utterly unsuited to Barca's preferred style of play.
However, current coach Xavi, a man rooted in the traditions of the Catalan club, is under intense pressure, with the Blaugrana having slipped to fourth in La Liga and just been routed by bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Furthermore, Barca's financial situation remains dire. They've spent big in recent seasons in the hope that short-term success will secure the long-term future of the club. For that reason alone, an approach for 'The Interpreter' cannot be ruled out. It would go against absolutely everything Barcelona supposedly stand for, but they've made a habit out of selling out in recent years and lever-pulling Laporta could once again decide that desperate times call for desperate measures…
AdvertisementGetty7Manchester United
Erik ten Hag was all smiles when he met Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the manager says that he held lengthy and productive talks with Manchester United's new investor, who will be overseeing football operations at Old Trafford. However, there's no hiding the fact that the Dutchman's job is on the line. With United seventh in the Premier League and already out of Europe, Ten Hag will be sacked if results don't improve between now and the end of the season.
Consequently, several managers are already being touted as possible replacements by the press. Mourinho wasn't one of them until now and a return to United still seems highly unlikely, given how badly things ended last time.
But Mourinho's tenure has been somewhat cast in a different light by the club's subsequent struggles, as it's been made abundantly clear that there are deep-rooted problems at Old Trafford dating back to Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement that have only worsened in recent years.
Mourinho has also always maintained that his second-placed finish with United in 2017-18 was one of his greatest coaching achievements in the circumstances. He might well be tempted to better it by playing a pivotal role in this new era at Old Trafford if he feels he would get the kind of support he felt he was denied during his first spell in charge.
Whether Ratcliffe would really be willing to put his faith in such a combustible character, though, is a different story altogether…
Staff Images/CBF6Brazil
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) just can't catch a break at the moment. Had they waited another week, they could have hired Mourinho immediately, which would have gone a long way towards taking the edge off the disappointment and embarrassment caused by Carlo Ancelotti's surprise decision to remain at Real Madrid.
However, Mourinho's hopes of managing Brazil are not gone for good. Dorival Junior has taken over from Fernando Diniz, who was sacked as interim boss after a poor start to the country's World Cup qualifying campaign, and has a contract until December 2026.
However, if the former Sao Paulo coach fails to arrest the Selecao's slump and flops at this year's Copa America, the CBF could easily decide to turn to Mourinho, who reportedly expressed an interest in taking over this summer before all of the drama with Diniz and Ancelotti.
Getty Images5Chelsea
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly loves a statement signing – even if it makes little sense. On top of all of the ludicrous fees and ridiculous eight-year contracts, the American even tried to force Cristiano Ronaldo upon former manager Thomas Tuchel.
It's entirely possible, then, that the Blues board could try to bring Mourinho back for what would be a third stint at Stamford Bridge if they decide to sack Mauricio Pochettino, who has a squad worth more than £1 billion ($1.28bn) sitting ninth in the Premier League. It would certainly make a lot more sense than the decision to re-hire Frank Lampard!
As for Mourinho, Chelsea obviously retains a special place in 'The Special One's' heart and he's barely concealed his envy at the plethora of expensive players available to Pochettino. But maybe everyone involved might suspect that this would be an ill-advised step backwards.