21 January 2024 , 12:26
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Jose Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of becoming the new head coach of Al-Shabab after flying to Barcelona over the weekend.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, 60, was sacked by AS Roma earlier this week after two-and-a-half years at the helm in Italy - but it didn't take long for him to be linked with a new role.
Numerous reports claimed that Mourinho was poised to become the latest big name to head to Saudi Arabia, with one outlet in the Gulf State going as far as to claim that the Portuguese coach had already struck a 'verbal agreement' with the Saudi Pro League outfit.
However, Mourinho has now confirmed to Spanish outlet Marca that there is no agreement with Al-Shabab, nor will he be becoming their head coach in the immediate future.
Mourinho led Roma to the Europa Conference League title in his first season in charge in Italy before coming up short in the Europa League final against Sevilla 12 months later.
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He had overseen an underwhelming start to the current season, though, and at the time of his dismissal, Roma were sat ninth in the Serie A standings after winning just one of their last six league games.
Roma owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin released a statement after Roma's 3-1 defeat to AC Milan confirming the decision. The Friedkin's also thanked Mourinho for the memorable moments he gave the club in Europe during his premiership.
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Mourinho was sacked by AS Roma earlier this week (Getty Images)The statement read: "We thank Jose on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for the passion and commitment he has shown since his arrival in the Giallorossi.
"We will always have great memories of his stewardship, but we believe that, in the best interests of the club, immediate change is necessary. We wish Jose and his collaborators the best for the future."
While Mourinho has made it clear he won't be joining Al-Shabab on this occasion, he has already made it clear that he does see himself managing in Saudi Arabia one day after turning down a lucrative proposal from Al-Hilal in the summer.
"I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there," he told MBC Egypt TV in October. "I don't know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this [working in Saudi Arabia]."