8 months ago
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Jose Mourinho has officially completed his latest 'Jose Mourinho cycle'.
Roma have sacked the legendary manager after two-and-a-half years which tell a familiar story.
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Following two successful seasons, things started to turn sour in the third.
Some shocking performances on the pitch were accompanied by a number of increasingly bizarre outbursts.
Ultimately, with Roma ninth in the table, the club lost patience.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham fans have all read this script before - but who will be the next club to take a punt on the 'Special One'?
Saudi Arabia
Mourinho has been tipped to join the Saudi Pro League due to a perceived lack of interest among Europe's elite clubs.
Reacting to the news of his sudden departure at the Stadio Olympico, talkSPORT's European football expert Andy Brassell said: "If you're looking for the next step, I think Saudi is the obvious one."
Mourinho turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to spend the 2023/24 campaign at Roma and recently predicted he will manage there one day.
Jose Mourinho's gives brutal one-word verdict on Arsenal's title chances this season against Manchester City and Liverpool
Speaking in October, the 60-year-old said: "I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there. I don't know when, but I am pretty sure of it.
"No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this [work in Saudi Arabia]."
Steven Gerrard became the fourth-highest paid manager in the world by taking charge of Al-Ettifaq and the Saudis would not hesitate to offer Mourinho a big-money deal.
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Newcastle
A return to the Premier League looks unlikely, with none of the so-called 'Big Six' in a position to hire - or rehire - Mourinho.
But the Portuguese boss could find a job in England if he looks beyond those clubs.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is under pressure following four consecutive Premier League defeats.
The Magpies have slumped to tenth in the table and also finished rock bottom of their Champions League group.
With a squad suited to a robust, physical and pragmatic style of play, Newcastle's Saudi-backers could be tempted by Mourinho's results-at-all-cost approach.
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Crystal Palace
Another Premier League club which could soon have a vacancy is Crystal Palace.
Pressure has eased on Roy Hodgson following three positive results in their last four matches but it looks unlikely the veteran boss will stay beyond this season when his contract expires.
And while some may scoff at the idea of Mourinho at Selhurst Park, it was the 'Special One' himself who suggested it.
Speaking while Inter Milan boss in 2007, he said: "London is perfect. My family is happy living here.
"So although you can never predict what will happen in football, I would like to be in London by 2012.
"If it is not working at Chelsea, then Crystal Palace or somebody else."
Mourinho also declared his love for the Eagles faithful on numerous occasions during his time in England.
In 2013, while managing Chelsea, Mourinho said: "[Palace fans are] fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. They support their team till the end, they push them all the time.
"I was impressed with Palace today and I wish them well."
Meanwhile, ex-Palace owner Simon Jordan has claimed he would hire Mourinho if it was still his decision to make.
"If Mourinho wants the project, fancies the opportunity and I can communicate with him - then absolutely I would because I think he's a great manager," Jordan told talkSPORT.
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Paris Saint-Germain
Current manager Luis Enrique has overcome a difficult start to life in Paris to build a comfortable lead at the top of Ligue 1 and qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
It is no secret Paris Saint-Germain have considered hiring Mourinho in the past and the French top-flight is uncharted territory for the 'Special One'.
Given their desperate lust for that elusive Champions League title, they could be tempted by a trophy specialist.
However, Brassell believes Mourinho has already missed his chance to take charge of the French giants.
He told talkSPORT: "Paris Saint-Germain would've done anything to have him four or five years ago, but the last chance they had to get him, they said, 'No, he's too toxic now'.
"The way Mourinho behaved after losing the Europa League final, a lot of clubs said, 'He's not for us, he's not worth the baggage'."
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Bayern Munich
Another bucket-list item for Mourinho could be the Bundesliga.
Bayern currently find themselves four points adrift of league-leaders Bayer Leverkusen and pressure is mounting on manager Thomas Tuchel.
While many believe Mourinho is no longer in contention for Europe's top jobs, his relationship with ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane could work in his favour.
Kane won a Premier League Golden Boot during Mourinho's time at Spurs and developed a strong relationship with the Portuguese manager.
Even still, it appears unlikely Mourinho would be handed one of Europe's most coveted jobs at this stage.
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National team
Mourinho has often been mentioned in connection with the England job.
Gareth Southgate has taken the Three Lions deep into major tournaments, ending years of obscurity, but heads to Euro 2024 with his star-studded team now the favourites.
Failure to deliver with England's latest 'Golden Generation' could see the FA look to a proven winner.
However, the Portugal job appears to be a more likely option for Mourinho.
In fact, Mourinho revealed he was offered it before Roberto Martinez took charge last year.
"The fact that the president of the FPF said that I was not his first choice, but his only choice, makes me proud," the former Chelsea manager said. "But I decided not to go."
