Is Jose Mourinho Returning to Coach Portugal?

International news outlets claimed on Friday that Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho wanted to go back to coaching in his native country of Portugal. In 2004, Mourinho departed Portugal to try his fortunes at Chelsea after leading FC Porto to Champions League triumph.

The Portuguese coach won 26 trophies in 11 different coaching jobs at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma. He is the only manager to have won the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League, and the Conference League.

Mourinho, who is 62 years old and signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce in July 2024, wants to coach in Portugal at the peak of his career.

“I’m absolutely going to Portugal. Mourinho stated, “It hasn’t happened yet, but it will.”

“Not because I think I’m getting close to the end; I feel far from it. I don’t want to come to Portugal for a golden retirement or the last few years of my work.

“I want to go to Portugal at the peak of my career, when I’m healthy and strong in body and mind.” I’ll be returning for sure.

When asked if he would rather manage a club or Portugal’s national team, Mourinho answered, “Anything.”

He recently disputed claims that he had talked to executives at Portugal’s Football Federation about getting the role of national team manager before the 2026 World Cup. But last year, he said that two people had asked him to coach Portugal, which was a different tale.

Fenerbahce came in second in the Turkish Super Lig last season under Mourinho’s leadership.