Jose Mourinho 'lines up next job' after U-turn on mega-money Saudi Arabia switch

22 January 2024 , 09:10

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Jose Mourinho 'lines up next job' after U-turn on mega-money Saudi Arabia switch

Jose Mourinho is said to be eyeing the Napoli hotseat as he seeks a rapid return to management.

The Special One was sacked by Roma last week after successive defeats, bringing to an end his two-and-a-half year tenure at the Stadio Olimpico. Mourinho had claimed more European honours in the Italian capital, but left the club sat in eighth in Serie A.

The team one spot below - defending champions Napoli - could now be his next calling, according to The Times. It is understood that Mourinho is due to meet with the club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis later this week as he considers axing Walter Mazzarri.

Napoli ended a lengthy league title drought last term but have struggled to mount a meaningful defence following the departure of Luciano Spalletti, who took charge of Italy. Already De Laurentiis has sacked Rudi Garcia and now Mazzarri could follow him out the exit door.

A switch to Saudi Arabia appeared a strong possibility with the Portuguese coach previously telling MBC Egypt TV:"I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there. 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]."

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However, Mourinho has since confirmed to Spanish outlet Marca that there is no agreement with Al-Shabab despite strong links, nor will he be becoming their head coach in the immediate future.

Mourinho is keen to find work quickly but wants a club who have more resources than Roma. Napoli could present him with that challenge and the Italian side remain in the Champions League with a last-16 tie to come against Barcelona next month.

Jose Mourinho's Roma tenure ended last week (Agostino Gemito/IPA Sport/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)

Napoli have recently nailed down Victor Osimhen to an improved deal that will keep him in Italy for the meantime. The Italian club also boasts the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was one of Europe's breakout stars last season. The Naples outfit though have shown themselves willing to part with their star players for huge fees over the years.

The Special One's stock in Italy remains high with the legacy of his treble success at Inter Milan in 2010 still evident. Mourinho has continued to seek out work with the 60-year-old two-time Champions League winner rarely enduring a lengthy period without work.

Back in the summer Mourinho claimed he rejected a mammoth sum to manage elsewhere, which was likely from the Middle East. He said: "In the summer I had the biggest, most important and craziest job offer that a coach has ever had in the history of football: I rejected it precisely because of my word."

Samuel Meade