It was Jose who would now fit the Portuguese team best of all. There is no need to worry about Ronaldo.
The departure of the Portuguese national team at the stage of the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar was quite sensational news, especially considering that the Portuguese national team knocked out the tournament from Morocco. As always, after such failures, the question arises about the competence of the head coach, as a result of which Fernando Santos is already dismissed in absentia.
And a truly special figure has already been named the main contender for a potentially vacant position. This is the “great and terrible” José Mourinho.
And the option is really cool. Of course, with reservations.
Better than Roma
Jose Mourinho has been in charge of Roma since the summer of 2021. In one season, the Portuguese led the Romans to victory in the Conference League, becoming the third manager in history to win all three European Cups under the auspices of UEFA. In the Roma championship, the second season does not particularly shine, but does not fall below its usual level. Of course, it is unlikely that this alignment is completely satisfied with the Special, who is used to working with top clubs and top players.
That is why the insider from La Gazzetta dello Sport is doubly interesting. According to the Italian newspaper, Mourinho can lead the Portuguese national team. Moreover, Jose is offered to combine work in the national team and the club. In addition, it is reported that Mourinho is interested in this option to continue his career. And this is not surprising.
Since joining Manchester United in 2016, the manager’s career has gone downhill. Despite winning the Europa League, the FA Super Cup and the English League Cup with Manchester United, more was expected from Jose. And hardly anyone was interested that the problems of the Mancunians were for the most part not due to Mourinho’s coaching methods, which even then began to be actively called outdated. After United, the Portuguese worked for a year and a half at Tottenham, for the first time since 2002 without winning a single trophy with his team.
The arrival at Roma and the victory with the team in the third most powerful European Cup is unlikely to change the general trend. That is why the opportunity to work with the Portuguese national team looks to some extent even an advance for José, an opportunity to revive his great coaching career. Yes, and Mourinho himself has repeatedly stated that he would be interested in leading the national team of his homeland. However, Jose’s conservative coaching ideas are undoubtedly a significant problem.
Jose has equally significant talents
No, Mourinho did not become a proud old man who continued to stubbornly follow his “mossy” notes. The coach is definitely trying to play modern attacking football, listening to young assistants, but also not changing his favorite defensive tactics to achieve the result. Yes, it makes no sense to expect much innovation from a 59-year-old specialist with a background of eight league titles from different countries and two Champions League cups.
Mourinho stubbornly believes in what he does and is definitely not going to change dramatically. Yes, this is not necessary. The Portuguese national team in the coming years would need José’s main qualities – the ability to work with young people, as well as the skill of oratory and motivation. Already compatriots will obviously listen to the legend with a double interest. Of course, Mourinho is famous for his difficult character, which often leads to intra-team squabbles. However, there is no point in being afraid of this factor – conflicts arise always and everywhere. Just don’t “dragon” the legend!
In working with the national team, there is no exhausting calendar and full-fledged immersion in working with the team. The coach is required to properly prepare the best players in the country in a short period of time and in the same way to give a result in a short distance in one particular tournament. Jose has never worked with national teams, but something tells me that this is his big omission. It’s no longer with Roma that the Special will stagnate – it’s unlikely that the team will jump above its head in the coming years.
Tandem with Ronaldo
According to media reports, 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is not going to finish playing for the national team and still plans to play at Euro 2024. And in the case of the possible arrival of Mourinho, it seems that having two such “big” personalities in the national team will affect the results and the atmosphere in the dressing room either in an absolutely destructive way, or will give an incredibly steep push up. A certain middle is present in the Portuguese national team now, and it is unlikely that anyone is satisfied with this.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho / Photo: © Getty Images
Mourinho and Ronaldo in the same team is a real bomb, the only question is where it will explode … In your own dressing room or in the opponent’s half of the field. This couple has already worked together – in Madrid “Real” from 2010 to 2013. And if at first everything went well, then after a year difficulties began. Cristiano was dissatisfied with the “creamy” style of play under Jose, and the coach did not like the striker’s unwillingness to listen to his instructions. As a result, the Special had to leave, of course, not only because of Ronaldo.
A few years later, the coach and striker, who bit at Real Madrid, even exchanged pleasantries in an interview. And one of Mourinho’s statements about his relationship with CriRo could even go to the golden fund of football quotes.
– The coach and the player may have disagreements at a certain point in time. But all this always remains in the past,” said Jose.
Now Mourinho and Ronaldo are far from claims to the cosmic level. Cristiano is turning into an “old but powerful” veteran, and Jose, after a long stagnation in his career, will clearly not be gesticulating like in his peak years. And the light on this couple does not converge so much that the factor of their favorable interaction becomes the key one. If Mourinho takes charge of the Portuguese national team, the potential advantages of such cooperation will definitely outweigh most of the disadvantages. And for both sides.
