Exclusive: Jose Mourinho flew out to the Saudi Grand Prix last weekend as more than just a regular racing fan

Jose Mourinho ideally wants to get back to work immediately and met several senior Saudi figures during his visit as part of a trip sources say was made for “due diligence and relationship building.”

The 61-year-old had a meet-and-greet with Newcastle and PIF chairman Yasser Al-Rumayyan.

He also discussed life in Saudi and a move to the Kingdom with Turki Al-Sheikh, who is the chairman of the Saudi Entertainment Authority and one of the most influential and best-connected sports executives in Saudi. Mourinho and Al-Sheikh are long-standing friends.

Mourinho was in contact with Saudi FA president Yasser Al-Misehal and sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. The latter wants to involve him in the sports ventures that form part of Saudi’s Vision 2030.

Mourinho has said in the past he thinks he’ll work in Saudi one day and was the subject last summer of a £100m+ contract offer from Al-Hilal. He chose to stay at Roma, only to be replaced by Daniele De Rossi in January. This came as a shock to Mourinho, who is keen to get back into work as soon as possible.

“I don’t want to rest, I want to work,” said Mourinho. “It’s just that I don’t want to make the wrong decision. I have to wait for the right option, one that motivates me. But if I could work tomorrow, I would.”

Mourinho was approached by new Al-Shabab chairman Mohamad Al-Munajem but no agreement was reached to manage the club.

And it’s understood centralised Saudi dealmakers want Mourinho to either manage one of the four PIF-controlled clubs or the Saudi national team.

Al-Hilal are not expected to make another offer because Jorge Jesus has them top of the league and still in the Asian Champions League.