)
AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho is the main managerial target for Saudi Arabia's giant Al-Ittihad, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to play a key role.
AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho claims that Cristiano Ronaldo has convinced him about Saudi Arabia amid reports of a sensational move to Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
Mourinho has been on the radar of Al-Ittihad since he revealed he received the ‘biggest and craziest’ offer in coaching history.
)
08:40 - 09.11.2023
Jose Mourinho: The lucrative financial boost of having the Portuguese coach at Roma
Jose Mourinho's time at AS Roma has ushered in a wind of positive change on and off the for the club in Rome.
)
08:59 - 09.11.2023
Ronaldo stopped talking to me after I benched him: Ex-Portugal manager reveals
Former Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has opened up on his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, according to the latest rumour, the Roma boss is back in Ittihad’s plans after the club dismissed their manager Nuno Santo.
Mourinho and Saudi Arabia
After two successful years at the Italian club, AS Roma, the 60-year-old has revealed his desire to coach in the Saudi Pro League.
)
Mourinho led the club from Rome to a historic win in the UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season before getting to the final of the Europa League in his season.
However, the famous third season syndrome has since Roma have a shaky start to the new Serie A campaign, which has fueled speculation that their Portuguese manager could be tempted by a move away, with Ittihad as a possible destination.
)
There is a vacancy at the Saudi giant after the sacking of former Wolves and Tottenham manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, who led the club to its first league title in 14 years last season.
A poor start to the new season has now cost the Portuguese his position, with Al-Ittihad looking to replace him with his more illustrious compatriot.
Mourinho’s Ronaldo inspiration
According to a Mirror report, Roma's manager wants to coach in Saudi in future after watching his former player and current Al Nassr superstar Ronaldo, make the switch in January.
“I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there,” Mourinho said.
)
“I don’t know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future but I will do this.”
Speaking further, the former Manchester United boss added that Ronaldo’s move influenced his decision.
“Cristiano was the first to go there and give a different perspective immediately,” he added.
“The players thought at first that it was a one-man show but they realised in the summer that everything was really changing. Many players not just in the last period of their careers but also at the best years are coming because the competition is real - not just at domestic league but also the AFC Champions League is very interesting.”
Should Mourinho make the move, he will be joining a team that has high-profile players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)