Jose Mourinho ‘will announce desire to leave Roma for job in Portugal’

The meeting between Jorge Mendes and the Portuguese FA did not bring positive results. Reportedly, any proposal for a division of labor between Roma and Portugal has been banned.

Corriere dello Sport report that Mendes met with the federation’s president Fernando Soares Gomes da Silva on Thursday to discuss Jose Mourinho’s current plans. Roma is keeping his attention for now but he hopes the club won’t stand in the way of his desire to manage the national team until June 2023.

Mourinho will speak to Roma owners to find a solution, with the Portuguese likely to ask to be released from his contract with the club a year early to take over Portugal.

Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with the Portugal national team job after Fernando Santos was sacked

The Roma coach is said to want the gig by June 2023 – a year before his Roma deal expires

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss declined to comment when asked about the ties to the Portugal national team job on Thursday.

Portugal, who were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco in the quarter-finals, are looking for a new coach after parting ways with Fernando Santos, who served for eight years.

Various players failed to thank Santos for his service – sparking rumors of deep rifts in the squad after a disappointing end to their World Cup season, which was marred by Cristiano Ronaldo’s theatrical performance after losing for his two knockout games had been put on the bench.

According to the Italian press, Mourinho firmly believes in the Portuguese project and has asked for the opportunity to devote himself fully to the Portuguese national team.

The hypothesis of coaching Portugal to lead them to the 2024 European Championship and the 2026 World Cup is stimulating for Mourinho and his staff.

In the coming months, Mourinho will try to find a solution with Roma, although it’s likely they will agree to let him go to ensure they can hire a manager who is fully committed to the club.

Santos was sacked by Portugal after eight years at the helm after losing to Morocco

According to Corriere dello Sport, Mendes has told Portuguese FA Mourinho that he wants to focus solely on proceedings in the Italian capital until June 2023.

His temporary end to talks with the Portuguese FA is closely linked to his commitments at the Italian club but relations remain excellent.

For Mourinho, the no to Portugal is painful – but temporary. At the end of this current season, with the Portuguese looking to bring Roma back to the Champions League, hopefully all attention will turn to his own national team.

Meanwhile, former Portugal midfielder Maniche, who played under Mourinho at Porto and with the Blues, told Radio Renascenca the 59-year-old would do a good job if he took over.

He said: “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’s already adapted to this generation and proved it by winning a title at Roma, which didn’t happen a few years ago.’

Jorge Mendes (R) alongside Portugal’s potential past and potential future in 2019