Jose Mourinho has responded to growing speculation linking him with the Portugal national team job but has declined to confirm his future at Turkish club Fenerbahce.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea manager firmly denied having any discussions with the Portuguese Football Federation, despite reports suggesting he was being considered to replace Roberto Martínez. Mourinho’s debut season at Fenerbahce has been eventful and, at times, controversial, leaving his long-term role at the club in doubt.
“I can deny that I had any meeting with the Portuguese Football Federation,” Mourinho stated. “I am a loyal person.”
He also revealed that he turned down an offer from an unnamed club in January, informing Fenerbahce of the contact before any talks took place. Despite leading Fenerbahce to a second-place finish in the 2024–25 Turkish Super Lig, a critical defeat to rivals Galatasaray and a subsequent loss to Besiktas have cast uncertainty over his commitment, particularly with only one year remaining on his contract.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer, some Portugal fans hope Mourinho could reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo to guide the national team to glory. Meanwhile, reports in the UK claim that both Leeds United and Rangers are monitoring Mourinho’s situation. Saudi clubs also remain interested, with Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah whom Mourinho reportedly met with last year among the suitors.
Last summer, Mourinho attended the Sync Summit in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, where he met high-profile figures including Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and representatives from Al Qadsiah. Though discussions were held, no formal agreement materialized.
When asked about his plans, Mourinho remained tight-lipped, saying: “I am not speaking about next season. I will speak internally, not to the media. If there is something, out of respect to the president and the board, I will not bring it into the public.”
With Champions League qualifiers on the horizon, Fenerbahce may need to prepare for a managerial change if Mourinho chooses to depart in the coming weeks.
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