Jose Mourinho is set to become the new head coach of Fenerbahce, signing a two-year contract with the Turkish Super Lig club.
However, the Portuguese manager has requested a unique clause in his contract, allowing him to leave if the opportunity to coach the Portuguese national team arises.
Mourinho has been out of management since January, following his dismissal from Roma.
This move to Fenerbahce marks his return to coaching after six months.
According to Calcio Mercato, the clause reflects Mourinho’s long-held ambition to manage Portugal’s national team, a position he has turned down twice before.
The first offer came during his tenure at Real Madrid, which was blocked by club president Florentino Perez.
The second offer was during his time at Roma, a decision Mourinho now regrets.
“It was a hard decision, and wrong, maybe. I think so,” he told Fabrizio Romano in an interview regarding his choice to decline the Portugal job in 2021.
Mourinho has had a successful coaching career across top European clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Tottenham, and Real Madrid.
During his time at these clubs, he has amassed numerous titles and accolades. Mourinho's time at Chelsea was particularly notable for winning the Premier League three times, alongside several domestic cups. His tenure at Inter Milan saw him securing a historic treble in the 2009-2010 season, clinching the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League.
At Real Madrid, Mourinho's strategic prowess led the team to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España. Despite facing challenges at Manchester United and Tottenham, he managed to secure the UEFA Europa League, the EFL Cup, and the FA Community Shield with the former.
Mourinho's potential move to Fenerbahce is seen as a significant boost for the Turkish club, which is eager to leverage his extensive experience and tactical knowledge to achieve both domestic and European success.
His request for a clause that allows an exit for the national team job highlights his deep-rooted connection and desire to contribute to Portuguese football on an international stage, an ambition that has been well-known throughout his career.
As Mourinho prepares to embark on this new chapter with Fenerbahce, the football world will be watching closely to see how his managerial journey unfolds and whether the opportunity to manage Portugal will finally come to fruition.