Once the hottest property in football management, Jose Mourinho's stock has been in decline for a number of years, and his sacking by Roma poses the question as to what comes next for the self-styled 'Special One'?
Mourinho's availability would have previously put Europe's leading clubs on high alert, but with his tactical approach considered outmoded in some quarters and his behaviour often incendiary, his next opportunity may well come away from the elite of the sport.
That could mean an emerging market like the Saudi Pro League or the MLS, or even a national team job, although you'd imagine Mourinho still views himself as one of the world's top club football coaches.
Might we see him back in the TV studios, perhaps on a temporary basis, or will his desire to coach lead him back into the dugout at the earliest opportunity, even if it means operating at a slightly lower level?
Below we look at what might be next for Mourinho.
Saudi Pro League
Whatever Mourinho's perceived flaws, he remains one of the biggest personalities in world football and a magnet for media attention. At a time when the Saudi Pro League is attempting to aggressively grow its brand, you'd imagine his name is already being mentioned in boardrooms all over the kingdom.
Al Ittihad have endured a nightmare defence of their SPL crown and dispensed with the services of Nuno Espirito Santo in November, while results have hardly picked up since the appointment of his replacement, Marcelo Gallardo. Could we even see Mourinho reunited with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr? The two have had their ups and downs but based on recent praise of one another, the relationship seems in a good place. Mourinho himself has already spoken about a potential move to the SPL.
"Doors are always open for me in Saudi Arabia. I want to feel the development there," he told ESPN in October 2023. "Cristiano was the first to go there and give a different perspective immediately. The players thought at first that it was a one-man show, but they realised in the summer that everything was really changing.
"Many players, not just at the last period of their careers, but also some players at the best years of their careers, are coming. Because the competition is real, not just at domestic league, but also the AFC Champions League is very interesting."
Back to the Premier League
Mourinho's love affair with the Premier League has taken him to Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, while he was at one time the preferred candidate for the England national team job.
The difficulty there is would any of the top clubs take him? His bridges are probably burnt at his former clubs. Chelsea want a manager capable of working with their legion of intensely data-modelled juveniles, while Daniel Levy famously turfed out Mourinho the night before a cup final. United are also heading in a different direction in what will come as a blow to the nearby Lowry Hotel where Mourinho once stayed for 895 consecutive nights at a cost of half a million pounds.
Liverpool or Arsenal fans would probably riot given the things he has said about them in the past, while Manchester City is obviously a non-starter. Newcastle? He would love the chance but Eddie Howe's position seems secure for the time being. How about West Ham? David Moyes' job seems perennially under threat, or even Crystal Palace should Roy Hodgson depart in the summer? He could try and improve on the efforts of former Al Jazira boss Frank de Boer at Selhurst Park, a man he famously dubbed "the worst manager in Premier League history".
National team job
Another avenue Mourinho has spoken of in the past is a move into international management. The natural choice would be his native Portugal but with Roberto Martinez breaking records in qualifying matches and preparing the team for Euro 2024, that would appear highly unlikely.
Recent reports had somewhat incongruously linked him with the Brazil national team job with the CBF apparently keen to employ a European coach to give the Selecao a more rigid tactical structure – who better than the ultimate pragmatist Mourinho? – but they have now gone in another direction with the appointment of Dorival Jr.
It seems inevitable that we will one day see Mourinho on the touchline at a major international tournament, but that will probably be in his dotage as some sort of grizzled, eccentric hired gun with anecdotes and air miles to burn.
A new European adventure
So far we've seen Mourinho manage with great effect in Portugal, England, Spain and Italy. So how about a foray into one of Europe's other major leagues?
It's hard to picture him in Germany where the coaches seem to get younger, tracksuits tighter, and the football more energetic by the season, but there are certainly a few clubs in France where he might be considered a good fit.
PSG's Qatari bosses are of course long-term admirers, while fallen giants Lyon seem in desperate need for a figurehead to reverse their fortunes.
And just imagine Mourinho at Marseille, a move that would no doubt delight the club's infamous ultras and in equal measure chill to the bone the matchday stewards at the Stade Velodrome.
Another club with a fanatical support is Napoli, and with them languishing in mid-table and Walter Mazzarri unlikely to have a long-term future at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, could Mourinho yet find another home in Italy?
Reality TV or punditry
Mourinho's sustained success at the top level of European football has been to the detriment of TV coverage everywhere with the acid-tongued Portuguese having undertaken precious little punditry work.
He enjoyed a short stint with Sky Sports in 2019 after leaving Manchester United and you'd think broadcasters everywhere would love to have him.
Meanwhile, his enduring celebrity is sure to result in reality TV offers, whether that be dancing, ice skating, or regaling fellow campers in the jungle with tales of Marco Materazzi, or the one about the time he signed Steve Sidwell, all while chewing on ostrich genitals.
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
match info
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')
Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')
Man of the match Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
More coverage from the Future Forum
In 2018, the ICRC received 27,756 trace requests in the Middle East alone. The global total was 45,507.
There are 139,018 global trace requests that have not been resolved yet, 55,672 of these are in the Middle East region.
More than 540,000 individuals approached the ICRC in the Middle East asking to be reunited with missing loved ones in 2018.
The total figure for the entire world was 654,000 in 2018.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
