Jose Mourinho arrives in Portugal with Fernando Santos sacked after World Cup exit

Portugal were sent crashing out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage after surprise package Morocco knocked them out while Fernando Santos has since stepped down as manager

Callum Vurley Sports Reporter

08:00, 16 Dec 2022

Jose Mourinho has been linked with the Portugal job(Image: Twitter @LAROMA24)

Jose Mourinho has refused to comment on speculation that has linked him to the vacant post for the Portugal national team manager.

It comes after The Special One jetted back to his home country with his AS Roma side before he was swarmed by reporters. Fernando Santos was sacked by the Portuguese FA following their exit from the World Cup.

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The Selecao reached the quarter-finals and looked in fine fettle after demolishing Switzerland 6-1, with Goncalo Ramos netting a hat-trick in place of the benched Cristiano Ronaldo. But Morocco pulled off a massive shock when they defeated them 1-0 thanks to a Youssef En-Nesyri header.

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Among those heavily linked with replacing Santos has been Mourinho, who arrive in Faro, Portugal this week as Roma take on Cadiz in a friendly before Serie A gets back underway after the World Cup.

However, despite being bombarded with questions over his future, the former Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham manager steamrolled past the baying mob of reporters without answering their questions.

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Before climbing aboard the team bus, Mourinho did smile and hand one journalist back a microphone cover that had fallen on to the floor. The 59-year-old has been tipped as one of the favourites to take on the Portugal job, as well as Paulo Fonseca.

Jose Mourinho has arrived in Portugal with his AS Roma team(Image: Twitter @LAROMA24)

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There had been suggestions that Mourinho could take on the role and keep his job at Roma, which has been done in the past but is extremely rare nowadays. Former Portugal midfielder Maniche, who worked under him at Porto and Chelsea, believes his old boss would be the ideal choice for the Selecao.

He told Radio Renascenca: "He is an experienced coach who is very prepared for difficulties because he knows our football and football abroad, he is intelligent and knows how to deal with young people.

"He has already adapted to this generation and proved it by winning a title at Roma, which didn't happen a few years ago."

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