Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to receive an offer to manage the Portugal national team following the 2026 World Cup, as Roberto Martínez’s contract will expire then. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is looking to recruit Mourinho, currently at Benfica, as they plan for the future.
Will Mourinho Depart Benfica This Summer?
Mourinho made his second return to Benfica with a two-year contract starting in September. However, with Martínez’s impending exit, the FPF is eyeing the 63-year-old for the national team managerial position.
Reports suggest that if Mourinho does leave Benfica, Ruben Amorim, the recently dismissed Manchester United manager, could be the prime candidate to take over. Amorim has a solid reputation in Portuguese football, having spent nine years with Sporting CP and winning several trophies.
“I Want to Unify the Nation Around the Team”
Last January, while he was coaching Turkey’s Fenerbahce, Mourinho expressed his desire to become an international coach. He stated, “I wish to participate in the European Championships and the World Cup and to unite the country around the team, which I’ve accomplished multiple times with clubs,” according to an interview with Corriere dello Sport. He emphasized that while he has respect for other teams, his primary focus is on coaching Portugal.
Discussing his past relationships with Brazil, he clarified that his ambition is rooted in helping the Portuguese national team, stating, “My fate as an international player is to compete in the World Cup with Portugal. I never envisioned coaching Brazil; my first experience has to be with Portugal.”
Mixed Results at Benfica
Mourinho’s tenure at Benfica hasn’t gone smoothly, with the team experiencing defeats in domestic cup games and slipping behind FC Porto in La Liga. Tensions with fans escalated before he orchestrated a stunning Champions League win against Real Madrid, with a last-minute goal by goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin.
Mourinho Reacts to Rumors of a Return to Real Madrid
Mourinho has also been rumored to be in talks for a return to Real Madrid, where he might reunite with club president Florentino Perez. However, he dismissed these rumors, referencing them as merely “soap operas” and urging fans not to take him seriously on that front. Despite this, a Champions League confrontation with Real Madrid is on the horizon, as Benfica faces them soon in the knockout stage.
In the world of soccer, Mourinho’s potential shift to the national team could mark a significant turning point, either enhancing Portugal’s prospects or reshaping the competitive landscape. For fans, this is more than just a managerial change; it reflects the ambitions of a nation in pursuit of glory on the world stage, influencing how future tournaments may unfold.
