Jose Mourinho is available, willing to work for food (or money that can be used to purchase food) and growing increasingly desperate to do so.
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After months of speculation following his dismissal by Chelsea, it’s a bit of a surprise that the 53-year-old two-time UEFA Champions League winner is still without employment. It all seems quite clear that he’s waiting for one job in particular: Manchester United. That rumor has been touched upon once or twice, of course.
As of right now, though, Mourinho remains unemployed and unattached to any club, if you actually believe the man himself, that is.
Jose Mourinho, ringside at Martin v Joshua: "I don't have a contract with another club...I'd prefer to stay in England. I love the country"
— Rob Maul (@Rob_Maul) April 9, 2016
Let’s say, just for a second, that Man United decide to stick with Louis van Gaal for one more season — or elect to hire someone else, perhaps — where does Mourinho go then? Is there another job opening in England that is 1) “big enough” to appease his ego, and 2) eager to deal with all of the antics and off-field drama that seems to follow the Portuguese at every stop along his undoubtedly masterful managerial career?
Leicester City are about to win the league, which means Claudio Ranieri is untouchable, as is the case for Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City have already appointed Pep Guardiola, and Jurgen Klopp is less than a full season into his time at Liverpool. Of the “big” clubs in England, that leaves just one: Arsenal.
[ MORE: Saturday’s PL roundup — Man City close gap to 3rd-place Arsenal ]
Mourinho has long enjoyed (he enjoys it so much more than anyone could ever know) a rocky relationship with legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Whereas most managers would fear the prospect of being “the man after the man” — David Moyes, anyone? — Mourinho is exactly the type of character who’d think he can not only equal Wenger’s accomplishments, but ultimately take away from his legend by doing him one better.
That is, of course, all dependent upon Wenger deciding this summer is the time for him to step aside, about which is something he’s given no clear indication. Philosophically, few clubs could be a worse fit for Mourinho, but the ego wants what the ego wants, regardless.