Chelsea is looking for a new manager almost eight years after his last stint ended dramatically, and Jose Mourinho is a free agent after being fired by Roma.
Following the split between Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho’s remarks regarding a return to the Premier League are making the rounds once more.
Despite leading the Blues into the top six, Pochettino became the fourth manager to depart the West Londoners in as many years. With his departure, the Blues’ ownership must now search for their fourth permanent manager in their history at Stamford Bridge.
There has reportedly been a drawing for an eight-person managerial shortlist that includes former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. Mourinho hasn’t had a job since Roma fired him in January.
A trip back to the division he has won three times would probably be of interest to him, given his prior remarks.
According to The Telegraph in March, Mourinho is eager to get back to the Premier League. He was being linked to the Newcastle United position at a time when Eddie Howe, the current Magpies manager, was going through a rough patch.
According to the report, Mourinho would “love” to play in the Premier League again if a position opened up. Howe did succeed in improving Newcastle’s situation, leading them to seventh place.
The Toon will be eligible to play in the Europa Conference League of the following season if Manchester City defeats Manchester United in the FA Cup Final. Since leaving Roma, Mourinho is believed to have already turned down offers from extremely wealthy Saudi Arabian companies.
Mourinho has made it plain that he still adores Chelsea, despite his brief tenure with the team’s bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. He stated in an earlier interview with Sky Sports: “Let’s say that, yes, I have someone who I would love to take over from’my Chelsea,’ but I keep my mouth shut.
“The club reached such a level that it doesn’t matter who it’s with but Chelsea will always be Chelsea. My house will always be 200 meters from the stadium, and Chelsea will always be a large city.
“I therefore want to continue hearing the sound of success and happiness. That’s how I’m pretty sure it will turn out.”
Mourinho has not yet been mentioned as a possible manager candidate, despite the club being linked to a number of them. It’s also known that the team wants to name a manager who is younger, more forward-thinking, and capable of playing a visually appealing, possession-based style of football.
Despite being available as well, Thomas Tuchel, another former Blues manager, is reportedly not in the running. After placing third in the Bundesliga, 18 points behind Xabi Alonso’s commanding Bayer Leverkusen team, the German left Bayern Munich.