Jose Mourinho rejected Portugal job in favour of Real Madrid return – report

all the new entries at Real Madrid in the summer, the appointment of Jose Mourinho was one of the earliest moves the club had made in an attempt to usher in a new era.

Mourinho was deeply involved in Real Madrid’s squad planning over the summer, with the team spending a fortune on new players in the transfer market.

However, the Real Madrid team could have looked very different, as Mourinho was also in contention to become the coach of the Portuguese national team.

Mourinho rejected Portugal for Real Madrid

According to AS, Mourinho turned down the chance to manage his national side in order to answer Real Madrid’s call.

Mourinho could have become the Portugal coach. Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The timing came in the weeks leading up to the World Cup, following Portugal’s debacle at the World Cup and the subsequent sacking of Roberto Martinez.

The search for a new coach initially pointed towards Mourinho, who had spoken with the Federation’s directors and even discussed certain circumstances as a starting point for an agreement.

It was at that moment, though, that Florentino Perez intervened. The Real Madrid president asked the then-Benfica boss for help.

Perez repeated the formula used previously with Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, bringing back a coach who had already proven successful at the club.

Mourinho did not hesitate, answering Real Madrid’s call and leaving Benfica after his buyout clause was paid. Portugal, meanwhile, understood the situation and instead turned to Jorge Jesus.

A tough start at Real Madrid

Mourinho must steady the ship at Real Madrid when season resumes. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid, though, hasn’t started smoothly at all.

Real Madrid have already fallen six points behind runaway leaders Barcelona, having suffered defeats to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.

Performances have been inconsistent, with the team lacking intensity and cohesion, and reports have suggested there are once again problems within the dressing room.

That has left Mourinho facing mounting scrutiny, with former player Poli Rincon recently among those to criticise the Portuguese, going as far as to call for his dismissal.

For Mourinho, the challenge now is to justify Perez’s faith and steady the ship when the season resumes.

Real Madrid face a demanding run of fixtures after the international break, including El Clasico, and the Portuguese will be desperate to prove that his return can deliver the success the club craves.