Jose Mourinho’s feelings about a return to the Premier League have come to the surface following Chelsea’s sudden split with Mauricio Pochettino.
The Special One has previously said he would be interested in returning to the division he has won three times. Pochettino’s unexpected departure from Stamford Bridge means the Blues owners are looking for their fourth permanent manager.
Eight potential managers have reportedly been picked as possible candidates, including Kieran McKenna and Roberto De Zerbi. However, Mourinho is still available, having been released by Roma in January.
Already in March, The Telegraph reported that Mourinho is seeking a return to the Premier League and is believed to be interested in taking over at Newcastle United. Current Magpies boss Eddie Howe was reportedly going through a difficult period of poor form at St James’ Park at the time the mirror.
Howe eventually found his footing and led the Magpies to a respectable seventh place finish – if Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final, Newcastle will qualify for the Europa Conference League.
It is also believed that Mourinho has rejected takeover offers from clubs in the cash-rich Saudi Arabian Pro League. Despite Mourinho’s short tenure at Tottenham, the Portuguese maestro has expressed his continued affection for the Blues.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Mourinho revealed: “If you ask me if I have anyone I would like to take over from ‘my Chelsea’, we say, yes I do, but I keep my mouth shut. The club has reached such a level that it doesn’t matter who they play with, but Chelsea will always be Chelsea.”
“Chelsea will always be big and my house will always be 200 meters from the stadium. That’s why I want to continue to hear the sound of happiness and success. I’m pretty sure it will be.”
While there is speculation about various managerial prospects, Mourinho has not been touted as a likely candidate for the Stamford Bridge job.
Chelsea are believed to be looking for a younger, more innovative coach who is committed to an attractive, possession-oriented style of play.
Thomas Tuchel, another former Chelsea manager, is also reportedly out of the running despite being on the market.
The German tactician recently parted ways with Bayern Munich after they finished third in the Bundesliga this season, a significant 18 points behind Xabi Alonso’s dominant team Bayer Leverkusen.
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