.
Join Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter and receive it for free in your inbox.
Subscribe to Miguel Delaney’s complimentary weekly newsletter.
Jose Mourinho stated that he rejected an offer to coach the England team in 2007.
The manager from Portugal has consistently been associated with this position throughout his career, particularly after guiding Chelsea to consecutive victories in the Premier League in 2005 and 2006.
The 61-year-old, who is currently unemployed after being fired from Italian Serie A team Roma, has announced that he did receive a job offer following the dismissal of Steve McClaren.
Fabio Capello eventually assumed the role, while Mourinho departed Chelsea in 2008 to join Inter Milan.
“I had the opportunity to be the coach for the national team of England,” Mourinho shared on the Vibe with Five podcast. “It was presented to me.”
I declined the offer because I never viewed national team positions as something I would find enjoyable. This was in 2007-08 when Mr. (Fabio) Capello was hired.
Capello was unsuccessful in maximizing the potential of a talented group of English players, as they were eliminated by Germany in the round of 16 during the 2010 World Cup.
Since Gareth Southgate’s hiring in 2016, the team has thrived, making it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.
There was a possibility that Jose Mourinho could have become the manager of England.
It is unclear what the future holds for Southgate as the Euros approach, and there have been talks of Mourinho potentially stepping in if the position becomes available.
The ex-coaches of Manchester United and Tottenham are impressed by the current crop of players in England and believe they have a strong chance in the upcoming German tournament starting on June 14th.
Mourinho praised the current generation, stating their successful journey to the Euro final and expressing confidence in their ability to win the tournament in 2024.
The mindset of players who have played internationally, such as Jude Bellingham, sets them apart from those who were born and raised in England and only play in England. Bellingham brings a unique perspective and adds something special to the team due to his experiences in different parts of the world. He has a strong and confident personality.
“Steve Holland, who used to be my assistant at Chelsea, has been a fantastic asset to Southgate’s team. They have done an excellent job, but there is still room for improvement. While I cannot say that I hope they win the Euros, as I believe Portugal has a strong chance, I do wish them success.”
The Independent is a British online newspaper.
The Independent is an internet-based newspaper from the United Kingdom.
