- Former Real Madrid and Benfica head coach was fired from Roma on Tuesday
- Mourinho has scarcely slowed down during his 24-year-long managerial career
- From Kevin Keegan to Arsene Wenger… IAN LADYMAN picks his top five managerial meltdowns on It’s All Kicking Off
Jose Mourinho is unlikely to dip his toe into managing in the Saudi Pro League after being sacked from Roma, with the former Chelsea head coach poised to reject an offer from Al-Shabab according to reports in Italy.
The Portuguese veteran was given his marching orders by the Serie A side on Tuesday with the club languishing ninth in league standings after a disappointing start to their campaign.
But reports suggested clubs in the Kingdom would be quick to hand Mourinho a new deal, with 11th-placed Al-Shabab thought to be the front-runners for his signature.
Al Shabab are currently managed by former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan, who took over as manager in October.
As per Sky Italia however, despite speculation of talks between the two parties over the former Real Madrid manager’s future in the Gulf state, Mourinho is keen to take a break from managing.
Jose Mourinho is on the verge of turning down an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab
The former Chelsea and Inter head coach was sacked from Serie A side Roma last Tuesday
Al-Shabab, by contrast, would be keen for the manager to take the helm in Riyadh as soon as possible.
Roma was the 60-year-old’s fifth appointment in 10 years, with his longest significant break in management over a 24-year career coming between leaving Manchester United in December 2018 and joining Tottenham in November 2019.
Speculations mounted over Mourinho’s trip to Barcelona on Sunday, which saw journalists gather at the airport to try and learn whether the head coach’s appearance in Catalonia was at all related to Xavi Hernandez’s stumbling spell with the Blaugrana.
Despite storming to their 27th league title amidst financial problems last season, Xavi’s once unquestionable security as manager has appeared increasingly tenuous in recent weeks.
Reports suggest the club legend has lost the confidence of multiple first-team players, with…