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Jose Mourinho has return in mind and teases Cristiano Ronaldo reunion after bust-up
Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo had a difficult relationship at times when the duo were at Real Madrid, but a reunion could be on the cards if manager's latest comments are anything to go by
Jose Mourinho has said that he is ready to return to management in his native Portugal. The ex- Manchester United boss even hinted that he was eyeing a role with the national team once again, with a potentially awkward reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo on the cards should he make the jump to international coaching.
Mourinho, 62, is currently at the helm of Turkish giants Fenerbahce after taking over in June 2024. However, after leading his side to a 2-1 victory over Portuguese second division side Portimonense in a pre-season friendly last week, Mourinho dropped the bombshell that he is ready to make a return to the country where it all began for him.
Mourinho has not coached in Portugal since 2004, where he had spells with with Benfica and Porto. "I will come back to Portugal for sure. It hasn't happened yet, but it will happen," Mourinho told Sport TV last week.
"Not because I feel close to the end, I feel far from that. I don't want to come to Portugal for a golden retirement or for my final years in my career."
He continued: "I want to come to Portugal at the peak of my career, in good health and in top physical and mental shape. I will definitely return. Club or national team? Either, but not Portimonense, because they already have a good manager (laughs)."
Rumours of discord between Mourinho, who was sacked by United in 2018, and Ronaldo were rife when the legendary coach managed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner at Real Madrid for three seasons. If Mourinho decides to take over the reins of his country it could have wider implications with Ronaldo still very much a focal point for the team, currently managed by Roberto Martinez.
Mourinho and Ronaldo's relationship was fraught in the Spanish capital, with the Portuguese tactician often slamming his star player for what he perceived was a lack of tactical discipline. According to Guillem Balague's book, Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography, Mourinho once engaged Ronaldo in a huge row after the forward took a throw-in too quickly.
"After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me", Mourinho reportedly bellowed at Ronaldo. "I was saying it for the team because the team needed you to track back."
Tensions worsened as Mourinho supposedly added: "Just so you know, many think like me here, but don't dare say it, they don't have the balls to tell you." It is then believed the pair had to be separated.
Despite their difficulties, time heals all wounds and it seems that applies to the iconic compatriots. Speaking later on, and perhaps offering an insight into how he would coach a 40-year-old Ronaldo for the national team, Mourinho said: "I think you don't coach [him].
"Motivation, you don't need to give him. Ambition, you don't need to give him. Technique, you don't need to give him. You give some tactical adjustments and let the guy be happy."
The two-time Champions League-winning boss was also happy to brand Ronaldo as one of "the best players of all time" and insisted that coaching him was "the highlight" of his career. He also moved to distinguish any bad blood too, saying: "A coach and a player may have their differences at a given time, but it ends there."
Since leaving Porto in 2004, Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma. Ronaldo, clearly impressed by his old bosses' CV, has claimed that he would be open to working with Mourinho again.
Sensationally, Al-Nassr star Ronaldo even lauded Mourinho as the best coach he has ever worked with – even above Sir Alex Ferguson. "I would put him at the top, I always say that," Ronaldo said.
A dream reunification in the offing or just two of the game's biggest egos on a collision course once again? Only time will tell as all eyes will firmly be on Mourinho's next move.
