José Mourinho is considering relocating to Saudi Arabia after praising Cristiano Ronaldo for “opening the door”.
Eyebrows were raised when Ronaldo left Manchester United to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in January 2023. However, Saudi Arabia now seems like the ideal place with various global superstars, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Marcelo Brozovic, and Sadio Mane, following Ronaldo. Steven Gerrard and Slaven Bilic are also among the managers who have made this decision, raising questions about Mourinho’s future.
“The Special One” is currently unemployed after mutually parting ways with Roma in January, leading him to admit that he would be tempted by a quick return to work in the Middle East. In an interview with Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho said, “Cristiano (Ronaldo) opened the door and showed people that it was possible to go live there, enjoy it, appreciate the development of a country that wants to evolve through football.”
As for himself, he wouldn’t be against a stint in the Middle East: “If you ask me in the future… You know, my experience has taught me never to say never. But today, if you ask me ‘why am I going to Saudi Arabia?’, it’s because I can enjoy three days, where I’ll watch a boxing match, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, be with my friends. But it’s not to sign a contract because I still have time until the end of the season to make the right choice.”
The Portuguese also admitted to receiving an offer: “When I had this proposition, which was obviously very financially important. I refused it; AS Roma and European football were more important to me.”
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