Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to the Saudi Professional League, but he will not reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nasr. Reports suggest Ahly and Al-Ittihad are leading the race for Roma’s manager next season.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Al Nasr is not interested in changing his head coach despite Mourinho allowing him to move to Saudi Arabia. Ahly and Etihad tried to sign the manager earlier this summer, offering €50 million per season, but they remain the top clubs most interested.
The Roma boss confirmed he held talks with the Saudi club before the start of the season but remains committed to the Serie A side. Reuters quoted him as saying:
“Saudi? Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli. Yes. Before going to the meeting, I informed the owners, clarifying that I had no intention of accepting. At home I said the same thing.
“On the one hand, I feel like a prisoner of the word I sent out to the players and fans in Budapest after Spezia, imitating the stay. But if you ask me if I don’t accept it just for this reason, I would answer “No,” not just for that.”
However, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss is not having an easy time at Roma, with Mourinho on the verge of being sacked.
Jose Mourinho leaves door open for Saudi Arabia transfer
Jose Mourinho confirmed earlier this season that he was considering a move to Saudi Arabia soon. He said the league excites him and he wants to experience the game before retiring.
Reuters quoted him as saying:
“I am committed to my job at Roma and I want to give everything to the club until the last day. No one knows the future but I will definitely do it (working in Saudi Arabia).
“The doors of Saudi Arabia are always open to me. I want to feel what’s going on there. Cristiano was the first to go there and immediately gave a different perspective.”
I’ve added:
“The players thought it was a one-man show at first, but they realized in the summer that everything was really changing. A lot of players, not just at the end of their careers, but some in the best years of their careers.” , we come because the game is real, not only the domestic league, the AFC Champions League is also interesting. “
Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this week that Real Madrid are interested in bringing Mourinho back next summer following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.