Portugal is “waiting” for me to manage the national team: Morinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s feels his homeland’s national side is desperate to see him take up the reins.
The 51-year-old coach expressed as much in an interview with French sports programme Telefoot, during which he also discussed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger – following last weekend’s touchline scuffle – France internationals Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba, as well as coaching opportunities in Ligue 1.

But one of Mourinho’s more typically cocksure answers came when asked if he could see himself managing Portugal, to which the London-based boss repsonded: “The country is waiting for it.”

This is not the first time the Portuguese coach has publicly discussed international opportunities. During the summer’s World Cup tournament, Mourinho claimed to have been whiskers away from signing up for the FA and taking over the England national side. Words from the wife, however, persuaded him to opt out at the last minute, after she highlighted the lack of stimulation on offer given the lack of day-to-day involvement international management entails.

This would, you’d imagine, still apply to managing Portugal, in light of which Mourinho’s remarks seem slightly less committal.

A Seleccao are currently managed by Fernando Santos, who took over in 2014 following Paulo Bento’s dismissal.