Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has broken his silence and ruled out managing one club after he was sacked by Serie A side Roma.
Mourinho was axed from the Stadio Olimpico last week after the club were left ninth in Serie A and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Roma’s city rivals Lazio.
Roma legend Daniele De Rossi arrived as Mourinho’s replacement at Roma and has taken charge of the Italian club until the end of the current campaign.
Mourinho spoke out after his sacking and sent a powerful message to Roma fans after his two-and-a-half years at the Stadio Olimpico came to an end.
The 60-year-old Portuguese manager was also on the verge of tears after he received a spine-tingling reception from Roma fans following his exit from the club.
Roma fans paid tribute to former United boss Mourinho in their first league match since his sacking, with De Rossi’s men beating Verona 2-1 at home on Saturday.
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Mourinho rules out managing one club
Mourinho was linked with a sensational return to management not long after his sacking from Roma, with the ‘Special One’ attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab were interested in snapping up Mourinho and were ready to offer a lucrative offer to entice him with the move.
However, reporter Pedro Morata revealed that Mourinho would not be taking up the role at Al Shabab, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reposting the claim.
“Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he’s ‘not gonna become Al Shabab new head coach,’ [he] told [Pedro Morata],” Romano tweeted.
“Despite reports this week, it was never deal close or advanced between Jose Mourinho and the Saudi side.”
Romano on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, added that there was “no intention to proceed in talks” between Mourinho and Al Shabab.
“Jose Mourinho will not sign for Al Shabab, no intention to proceed in talks — confirmed,” he wrote.
“Mourinho will not rush his decision on [the] next club/project as he wants to pick the best one for his career.”
What’s next for Mourinho?
Mourinho arrived in Barcelona after leaving Roma and the former United and Chelsea boss seemed calm about his future after his latest setback.
The ex-Roma head coach has even been linked with La Liga side Barcelona amid uncertainty around club legend Xavi’s future at the Camp Nou.
However, Mourinho appeared to play down the speculation and smiled when he was asked about the Barcelona rumours by reporters at the airport.
It remains unclear what the ex-Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager will do next, but Mourinho hasn’t hinted at the idea of calling it time on his legendary career.
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