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JOSE MOURINHO has revealed Real Madrid stopped him bossing Portugal – before he rejected another chance of taking the job when at Roma.
The Serie A club axed the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United chief two months ago but he wants to return to management this summer.
Now the 61-year-old claims the “door opened” for him TWICE on taking charge of his own country.
Mourinho says the first opportunity came while he was in charge of Real from 2010-2013.
But Bernabeu president Florentino Perez responded with “no chance”.
The Special One claims Portugal then came back in for him after Fernando Santos was sacked following a poor 2022 World Cup.
But although Mourinho was “proud” to be their first choice, he opted to stay at Roma.
Instead Portugal appointed former Everton and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
And while Mourinho went on to be ousted by his Italian top-flight club, Martinez has guided Cristiano Ronaldo and Co to 11 straight wins.
The ex-Inter Milan and Tottenham chief told journalist Fabrizio Romano: “I had the door open to be Portugal coach twice.
“First time when I was at Real Madrid but Florentino told me, ‘no chance’.
“The second time was at Roma, I was sacked a few months later… but I don’t regret that because I’m happy with the reason.”
However, Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf is among those who have suggested Mourinho would be keen to land the job at some stage.
Leboeuf told ESPN: “He admitted that the last thing he would love to do in his coaching career would be to get the Portuguese national team job.
“I think that’s going to be his goal.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho said earlier this week: “I want to work in the summer, I want to work.”
And asked about the Portugal job, he added: “Never say no, especially in football.
“My life is football, I can coach anywhere and I have no problems.” – Sun
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter
