AS Roma has officially announced the departure of Jose Mourinho following a period of poor performance that led the team to drop to the ninth position in the Serie A table.
This marks the conclusion of Mourinho’s two-and-a-half-year tenure at the Stadio Olimpico, with his contract originally set to expire in the summer. Despite Mourinho expressing his desire to continue at the club, sources suggest that the decision to end his reign in the Italian capital was primarily driven by Roma.
As Mourinho finds himself without immediate plans, there is speculation about potential future destinations. While recent links to a return to the Premier League with Chelsea and Newcastle United have surfaced, sources indicate that any imminent moves to these clubs would be surprising and lack concrete developments at this stage.
Chelsea’s ownership is reportedly inclined to exercise patience with current head coach Mauricio Pochettino, hoping to assess his performance in the summer. The Argentine coach has faced scrutiny from the fanbase, and the outcome of the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Championship side Middlesbrough may influence future decisions.
Similarly, Newcastle United intends to provide more time to under-pressure manager Eddie Howe, who has grappled with an extensive injury list this season. Despite external speculations, Mourinho’s immediate move to either Chelsea or Newcastle seems unlikely.
Mourinho had previously expressed openness to managing in Saudi Arabia, and sources suggest he may receive a contract offer from the Saudi Pro League by the summer if he remains unattached.
While Al Hilal had previously approached Mourinho with a lucrative offer, they are currently performing well under their existing manager, making a managerial change improbable in the near future. However, Al Ahli and Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, could potentially consider Mourinho for managerial positions.
Additionally, the possibility of Mourinho transitioning to international management is on the horizon.
With several managerial vacancies expected after Euro 2024 and the Copa America leading up to the 2026 World Cup, Mourinho remains open to exploring this avenue. There is a particular mention of the England job, should Gareth Southgate depart after the Euros, although Southgate has expressed his desire to stay on as the current Three Lions boss.
As Mourinho contemplates his next move, the football world awaits further developments, with potential opportunities ranging from domestic to international realms.
