Jose Mourinho has reportedly started discussions with Al Shabab of the Saudi Pro League just days after being dismissed by Roma. Mourinho was fired by Roma on Tuesday with the club struggling in ninth place in Serie A following a disappointing season.
The 60-year-old had spent two and a half years at Roma, leading them to the inaugural Europa Conference League title in 2022. According to ESPN, Mourinho is already in talks about moving to Saudi Arabia, with the Portuguese coach having discussions with Al-Shabab’s sporting director Domenico Tite. Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes is said to be negotiating Mourinho’s potential arrival with the club. Jose Mourinho has reportedly begun talks to take over as manager of Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. Remarkably, Mourinho could face his former club Roma in his first match if he agrees to take charge, as Al-Shabab is hosting Roma in a friendly next Wednesday.
Al Shabab is currently managed by former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan, who became manager in October. Mourinho would be Al Shabab’s third permanent manager this season, with Dutch coach Marcel Keizer having led the team at the start of the campaign. The Riyadh-based club made major signings over the summer, acquiring players like Yannick Carrasco and Habib Diallo. The squad also includes veteran former Argentina midfielder Ever Banega.
Al Shabab is currently struggling in 11th place in the Saudi Pro League after five wins from 19 matches, despite finishing fourth last season. In November, Mourinho said he would definitely work in Saudi Arabia at some point in the future. ‘I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there. I don’t know when, but I am pretty sure of it,’ Mourinho stated.
