The news broke on Friday that Jose Mourinho, manager of Fenerbahce, wants to return to Portugal as a coach. Chelsea hired Mourinho after he led FC Porto to a Champions League victory in 2004.
Over eleven seasons, the Portuguese coach led Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma to a total of 26 championships. The only manager to ever win the Conference League, Europa League, and Champions League is him.
Fenerbahce of Turkey hired 62-year-old Mourinho to a two-year contract in July 2024. At the pinnacle of his career, he aspires to be a coach in Portugal.
“I am heading to Portugal. According to Mourinho, that will occur.
Absolutely not because I’m nearing the finish line. Portugal is not the place for me to retire or end my working life. When I return to Portugal, I want to be in the best shape of my life and ready to take on the world. I will be back.
“Anything.” was Mourinho’s response to a query regarding the club’s management or the Portugal national team.
Just recently, he rejected rumours that he had approached officials in Portugal’s football federation about taking over the national squad in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. When asked about the two coaching positions in Portugal, he said he had been approached last year.
In Mourinho’s first season at the helm, Fenerbahce finished second in the Turkish Super Lig.
