10 January 2023 , 07:46
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Jose Mourinho is already assembling a team of assistants ahead of being appointed the new head coach of the Brazilian national team, it has been reported.
The Portuguese, currently plying his trade with Serie A giants Roma, has regularly been linked with a move into international management having harnessed a hugely successful reputation on the club scene. Now, it appears that he has the Brazil job in mind after previous boss Tite left the role after the South American side only managed to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
The five-time winners were eliminated by Croatia despite being huge favourites to lift the trophy last month. The search has been on for Tite’s successor since and it appears that Mourinho is in line to accept the opportunity according to his former Porto star Carlos Alberto.
Speaking to the Mundo GV podcast, he said: “Let me say it directly. Perhaps Mourinho will be Brazil’s new coach. This is a news I’m publicly reporting. He’s also asked me to work as his assistant.”
It remains to be seen if it is indeed the case that Mourinho is in line to take the Brazil role. The 59-year-old is currently in the midst of helping get Roma back into the Champions League with his contract at the Italian club set to run until the summer of 2024.
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He was appointed ahead of the 2021/22 season and won the Europa Conference League title in his debut campaign at the Stadio Olimpico. The ex- Chelsea and Man Utd schemer has never hidden his ambitions to move into international management having spoken out on a switch during his time with Spurs.
"Yes, I want to coach a national team, I want to have the experience of a World Cup and European Championship, the emotion of the short competition," Mourinho previously confirmed. He was previously linked with taking the reins with Portugal but was doubtful over whether it would be the right opportunity.
Tite left his role as Brazil coach after the World Cup (Getty Images)Would Jose Mourinho be a good appointment for Brazil? Share your thoughts in the comments below
"Is Portugal the one I want do do? On one side yes as it is my heart," the former Real Madrid boss added. "But it is very difficult to do it with the country you were born in."
It appears that chance has already passed him by though with the Selecao having chosen to appoint former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez. The ex-Everton man left his role after the European side's group stage exit in Qatar and has penned a three-and-a-half year deal.
Intriguingly, Mourinho wasn’t the only big name linked with taking over the Brazilian national team. Previous reports suggested that Pep Guardiola had been contacted shortly after the World Cup for discussions about taking over - a move that always seemed unlikely considering the Spaniard’s contract extension signed in November last year.