Jose Mourinho won the Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022 (Photo: Getty)
Rio Ferdinand has admitted he’d ‘love’ to see Jose Mourinho return for a third spell at Chelsea after he was sacked by Roma last week.
The Manchester United legend is also up for the idea of ‘The Special One’ managing Newcastle and England, but is mindful that none of these are likely to happen.
Mourinho departed Roma after two-and-a-half years with the Italian club, having won just eight of 20 Serie A games this season.
It doesn’t look as if he’ll be out of work for long though, with the 60-year-old reportedly in talks with Napoli, while he has also been linked with Saudi Pro League sides and a move into international management.
Throughout his very successful career, Mourinho has managed many of Europe’s biggest clubs including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, United and Tottenham.
Chelsea stands out as the only club he has returned to, winning three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three League Cups, and Ferdinand believes it would be blockbuster if he came back to Stamford Bridge for a third time – however unlikely.
‘To Chelsea? Mourinho? No chance,’ the former United and England defender said on the Vibe with Five podcast.
Jose Mourinho won three Premier League titles with Chelsea – the last of which in 2015 (Photo: Getty)
‘These guys, these Americans [Chelsea’s owners] don’t go backwards like that. Not backwards in talent or class… they’re not going backwards and getting [a former manager].
‘I would love to see Jose back there, I’ve got to be honest. Me, personally, Jose, please, I hope you get the job if [Mauricio] Pochettino doesn’t do well. I think they’re gonna stay with Pochettino.’
Aside from the Blues, Ferdinand believes Mourinho may actually be a good fit for either Newcastle and England, even admitting that he would hire the Portuguese to take charge of the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate is expected to leave England after Euro 2024… (Photo: Getty)
‘If he doesn’t go Chelsea, where’s he go? Newcastle? I would love to see him there,’ he added.
‘But Eddie Howe, man, he’s been unreal. I wouldn’t want to see Eddie go.
‘I don’t think the FA [would] hire a Jose Mourinho. I would.
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‘But I don’t think the FA… they’re not going from Gareth Southgate to Mourinho. That’s too big of a difference in character and personality. It’s not happening.
‘[That’s like going from] ready salted to vindaloo, bruv. It’s not happening.’
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Where will The Special One go next?
