Portugal reportedly have a back-up plan in place should they fail to find an agreement with Jose Mourinho to replace Fernando Santos.
The latter has seen his position called into question over recent days following the Selecao’s World Cup exit at the hands of Morocco in the quarter-finals - Youssef En-Nesyri’s goal proving enough for the Africans. A decision has yet be made on Santos’ future with the nation but it appears a replacement is already being sounded out.
Former Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho is currently the front-runner for the role. The 59-year-old has been linked with taking the reins of his home country on numerous occasions and it is said that he is now the Portuguese FA’s top target.
Reports suggest Mourinho would be able to combine the role with his current commitments at Italian giants AS Roma. Whilst Mourinho would apparently be interested in moving into international management, he is concerned over whether Portugal is the right job for him.
Those doubts could see the Selecao moving onto their second option should they indeed choose to sack Santos. As per UOL , current U21 head coach Rui Jorge could be promoted to the job full-time, with talks with Mourinho expected to be ‘difficult’.
Ex-Chelsea and Spurs boss Andre Villa-Boas has expressed his desire to take the role in the past but, as per reports, is not under consideration whilst he focuses on running for the presidency at Portuguese giants Porto. Intriguingly, under-pressure Santos has already named Mourinho as his ideal successor - something that could come to fruition.
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Speaking in April 2021, he said: "When I was invited to take the job, the Portuguese FA president Fernando Gomes told me he wanted me for his project. That project lasts until 2024, and I committed myself to him until that time.
"But after then I will think about what I want to do. Jose Mourinho would be a good replacement for me.
"Portugal has some good coaches, with plenty of ability, who would do a good job of replacing Fernando Santos."
Mourinho has been with Serie A outfit Roma since the summer of 2021 and has overseen 76 matches at the helm. In that time, he led the Italians to a sixth-placed finish in his first campaign, whilst he also became the first-ever manager to win all three European titles having claimed the Europa Conference League against Feyenoord.
Ahead of Serie A getting back underway after the enforced break for the World Cup, Mourinho’s side currently sit seventh in the standings. He is under contract at the Stadio Olimpico until the summer of 2024.
