Portugal ask Jose Mourinho to become temporary coach
The Portuguese Football Federation have approached Jose Mourinho with a view to him taking control of the national team for their next two UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying matches.
Though the job appears likely to go to Sporting Clube de Portugal boss Paulo Bento in the long-term after the dismissal of Carlos Quieroz, the FPF have turned to the Real Madrid boss and asked him to step
in for the games next month.
The president of the FPF, Gilberto Madail, arrived in the Spanish capital today to discuss a deal with Mourinho, his agent Jorge Mendes and chiefs at the Bernebau.
He told reporters that: “I have come here to take care of Mourinho and other matters.”
One of the best on the planet
Mourinho is regarded as one of the best coaches in the world following his enormous successes at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan before moving to Madrid this summer. The Portuguese has won the UEFA Champions
League with both Porto and Inter as well as a glut of domestic cups and league titles.
He has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his career as coach of the La Liga giants after drawing 0-0 against Mallorca and winning 1-0 over Osasuna. His team also impressed in their opening Champions League
group stage match last night, where they dominated Ajax in a 2-0 win.
If Mourinho decides to take over as temporary boss, he will be in charge for the matches against Denmark on 8 October and Iceland four days later. He will also be able to call upon the talents of three
of his Madrid players — defenders Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira (‘Pepe’) and Ricardo Carvalho as well as superstar winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Should he take up the position, he will be charged with turning round the fortunes of the national team they drew at home against Cyprus and were defeated in Norway in their first two Euro 2012 qualifiers
this month under Quieroz.
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