Jose Mourinho rejected an offer to become the manager of the Portugal national team after deciding to return to Spanish club Real Madrid.
The Portuguese football federation had opened channels of communication with the manager well before the World Cup, holding detailed discussions about the requirements of the national team role. Contacts between both parties were progressing positively before Real Madrid president Florentino Perez approached his former head coach.
Mourinho, who earned the nickname the Special One during his initial tenure in Spanish football, ultimately chose a return to Madrid over taking charge of his homeland. His decision was heavily influenced by a long established relationship of trust with Perez, forcing the Portuguese federation to pursue alternative options for their bench.
Talks with the Portuguese Federation
According to reports in the Spanish media, the Portuguese federation initiated contact with Mourinho to evaluate a potential appointment. The prospect of leading his national team was considered a special opportunity by the experienced manager, and early negotiations focused on the specific demands of national team management.
However, the managerial vacancy at Real Madrid altered the situation. Perez sought a trusted figure to take charge at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, leading him back to Mourinho, who had previously managed the club between 2010 and 2013.
Real Madrid, widely known as the royal club, remain one of the most successful football institutions in European history. The existing rapport between Perez and Mourinho proved decisive in convincing the coach to choose a return to La Liga over international management.
History with Cristiano Ronaldo
The decision also carried significant implications due to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal national team. Mourinho and Ronaldo share a complex history from their shared period at Real Madrid, marked by major silverware alongside recurring personal and tactical friction.
While the pair achieved notable success in Spain, their working relationship was subjected to several trials. Aitor Karanka, who served as Mourinho assistant manager at Real Madrid, previously described a tense encounter between the two men following a Copa del Rey match against Valencia.
According to Karanka, Mourinho delivered harsh criticism to Ronaldo regarding his performance on the pitch after the final whistle. Ronaldo reacted with strong emotion, with Karanka recalling that the forward was left visibly upset and moved to tears by the confrontation.
Had Mourinho accepted the Portugal job, he would have reunited with Ronaldo in an international setting under the expectations of an entire nation. Instead, Mourinho chose to resume his career at Real Madrid, leaving the Portuguese federation to appoint a different candidate.
