While Mourinho hinted that it is possible to coach the Portugal national team in the future to be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo, the "Special One" had two opportunities in the past. In a previous interview with Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho revealed the two times he had the opportunity to coach the Portugal national team. Mourinho said, "I had the door open two times to be the coach of Portugal. The first time was when I was at Real Madrid, but Florentino Perez [Real Madrid president] told me, 'That is not possible.'"
Mourinho continues to reveal about having the opportunity to become the manager of the Portugal national team. The Portuguese manager said, "The second time was in Roma, even though they sacked me months after, but I don't regret it because I was happy with the motive. In these three years, I refused to become the new Portugal head coach with the best national team ever!"
🟡🔴 José Mourinho: “Being sacked by AS Roma is the one that has been hurting me more. I gave everything”, told @FIVEUK.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2024
🇵🇹 “In these three years, I refused to become new Portugal head coach with the best national team ever!”.
🇸🇦 “I also had a big proposal from Saudi Arabia”. pic.twitter.com/t0VE7XuL9G
The Portugal head coach is now Roberto Martinez after Fernando Santos left in late 2022 after the World Cup in Qatar. Santos was the head coach of Portugal from 2014 to 2022. In January 2023, Martinez was appointed as the new manager of the Portuguese national team, and the Spanish coach became the first man to become the head coach of the national team who had no Portuguese or Brazilian nationality. Martinez doesn't seem to be sacked or willing to leave the national team anytime soon, as the Euros 2024 in Germany will take place this summer. It will be Martinez's first major tournament with Portugal as they are in Group F with the Czech Republic, Georgia, and Turkey.
Ronaldo and Mourinho to reunite in Portugal becomes more difficult
Unless Portugal has a terrible 2024 Euro performance, Mourinho and Ronaldo together on the national team seems more difficult. Under Martinez, Portugal won 11 of the 12 matches, and the Spanish coach was in charge, including the friendlies. In their last match for Portugal, Martinez suffered his first loss in charge as the Portuguese side lost 2-0 against Slovenia.
