Newcastle United supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan spotted meeting Jose Mourinho as encounter goes viral
Newcastle United supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan enjoyed his weekend at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix where the stars were out in force
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan came face to face with Jose Mourinho during a chance meeting at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The pair were introduced to each other with the Toon chief saying a quick "hi" to the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss before the duo went their separate ways with the meeting lasting only a few seconds. Mourinho is now out of work after being sacked by AS Roma while current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was described as "incredible" by co-owner Amanda Staveley just days ago, with the board happy with the 46-year-old.
READ MORE: The European qualification scenario Eddie Howe would take with open arms
Mourinho's presence in Saudia Arabia inevitably sparked conversation as many try to predict his next managerial role. The Portuguese coach, who was given his big chance in the game by Sir Bobby Robson, was asked by beIN Sports about his next move and said over the weekend: "I don't not want to rest, I have to wait for the right one, that motivates me. I want to work tomorrow if possible, but I don't want to make the wrong decision." Roma was great, we did two European final in two years. That's hard in a club that never did it. I have to wait for the right opportunity."
Mourinho's presence in Saudi Arabia was discussed by Richard Keys and Andy Gray who speculated his next post. Keys saying: "He won't go to Man United, don't rule out Chelsea. The other one I think is most likely, Newcastle. You want to win a trophy he is a guarantee after 20 trophies. He is a guarantee and would take Newcastle to the next level without question."
Howe's stock remains high on Tyneside though and with the Newcastle board after turning a near lost cause into Premier League survival in 2021/22 and turning a relegation battle into 11th place. Then last season he guided Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final, their first major showpiece since 1999, and to fourth place.
This season, despite injuries and internal political issues with Dan Ashworth departing, United remain in the hunt for Europe again and are still in the FA Cup with a tough test away to Man City lying in wait.
Howe's win ratio at Newcastle in the Premier League era is only bettered by Kevin Keegan.