Jose Mourinho reportedly fears that the broken-up nature of international football wouldn't satisfy him if he were to take the Portugal job.
The 59-year-old has been tipped to succeed the departing Fernando Santos in the hot seat after the latter was sacked this week following Portugal's shock World Cup exit. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. were knocked out in the quarter-finals by underdogs Morocco following a smash-and-grab 1-0 win.
Mourinho is halfway through his second season with Roma, a job which hasn't fully satisfied him but one he continues to relish. However, the lure of managing his country could tempt him to quit Stadio Olimpico, as the Portuguese FA have a vacancy for the first time in eight years.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Portugal job belongs to Mourinho should he want it. However, the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss is conflicted due to fears over how occupied the international cycle would leave him in comparison to the fast-paced club game.
Barring spells between jobs, Mourinho has dedicated his day-to-day endeavours to club football since he became part of Vitoria Setubal's coaching staff in the late 1980s. But taking charge of Portugal remains an enticing prospect for the 'Special One', particularly ahead of Euro 2024, when the Navigators are set to boast a squad stocked with talent.
Although Ronaldo isn't guaranteed to be involved, the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo and Diogo Jota are set to be pillars of the side which many tipped to go deep into this year's World Cup. The Portuguese FA (FPF) are even said to have already devised a plan to extract Mourinho from Rome in a timely manner.
A Bola reports that the FPF is exploring the possibility of appointing under-21 manager Rui Jorge until the end of the club season. They'd then make a push for Mourinho, who's their No.1 target and would only have 12 months remaining on his contract with the Giallorossi.
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The FPF's statement on Santos' departure gave nothing away it terms of when his successor would be announced. "The Portuguese Football Federation and Fernando Santos agreed to end the highly successful journey started in September 2014," it read.
"After one of the best participations ever by the National Team in the final stages of the World Championship, in Qatar, FPF and Fernando Santos understand that this is the right time to start a new cycle. It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos at the head of the National Team.
"The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years. The FPF Board will now begin the process of choosing the next national coach."
Legendary defender Pepe and United midfielder Fernandes have paid tribute to Santos since the announcement. That's unlike Ronaldo, who the Euro 2016-winning coach controversially dropped for the knockout stage.
