Jose Mourinho has announced his aim is to return to management this summer after being sacked by Roma in January.
The Portuguese coach won the Europa Conference League with the Italian club in 2022 and then guided them to last season’s Europa League final.
But he was sacked by owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin on January 16 with Roma sitting a lowly ninth in the Serie A standings.
In an interview with Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho insisted he was ready to return ‘one day’ after he was sacked.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss revealed his aim is now to return this summer, but will be patient in choosing his next role.
Jose Mourinho has targeted a return to management this summer after his Roma sacking
Mourinho led Roma to Europa Conference League success in 2022 and last season’s Europa League final before being sacked
The Portuguese coach was sacked on January 16 after a poor run left Roma ninth in the table
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‘I am ready to start, sometimes when you end it a club you feel the need of a rest or a think,’ Mourinho said.
‘In this case, one day after I left I was ready to go.
‘I am really ready but I don’t want to make the wrong choice, but I cannot make the wrong choice, I cannot accept something just because of the feeling and passion to be back. I have to be patient.
‘Is something going to happen in March or April? It is very difficult, my objective is to start next summer.’
Mourinho revealed earlier this year that he had turned down the chance to manage the Portuguese national team and an opportunity to coach in Saudi Arabia.
Mourinho has previously claimed to have turned down the Portugal national team job as well as roles in Saudi Arabia
The former Real Madrid and Man United boss claimed Cristiano Ronaldo has opened the door for players and coaches to move to Saudi Arabia
The 61-year-old has claimed it was the second time he had turned down the national job, after previously being approached to take on the role part time when he was at Real Madrid.
He declared his commitment to Roma and European football had led to him spurning an offer from a Saudi club.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab were linked with a move for Mourinho in January, just days after he was sacked by Roma.
Reports claimed at the time that Mourinho had turned down a move to have a break.
Mourinho, however, has refused to rule out a move to Saudi Arabia in future.
He claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo had ‘opened the door’ for players and managers to move to the kingdom.
Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian side Al Nasser in a blockbuster move in January 2023, with several European stars having since followed the Portuguese legend to the Pro League.
‘Cristiano opened the door in terms of believing that it is possible to be there and live there, to enjoy the development of a country that wants to be a different country with football that has a passion but is not developed,’ Mourinho said.
Mourinho was pictured in Jeddah earlier this month at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
He was also pictured ringside for Anthony Joshua’s fight against Francis Ngannou this month
‘Cristiano opened the door.
‘When I had the proposal, of course economically it was important, because it was more important for me with Roma, European football and commitment.
‘If you ask me in the future, experience has told me never say never.’
Mourinho, following the interview, has since spent time in Saudi Arabia at several major sporting events.
He watched British boxing star Anthony Joshua’s win over Francis Ngannou earlier this month, as well as being a guest at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.