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Topics: Football, Jose Mourinho, England, Portugal
Nasir Jabbar
Jose Mourinho once revealed the two jobs he turned down that would have sent shockwaves through the world of football.
Mourinho is currently in charge of Fenerbahce, having been appointed by the Turkish giants earlier this year.
The 61-year-old ventured to Turkey after managing the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Mourinho has yet to oversee a national team during his legendary managerial career.
But he has had plenty of offers to take charge of a national team.
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The Portuguese boss told Rio Ferdinand that he rejected offers from Portugal and England.
Speaking on Ferdinand's podcast, Mourinho said: "I refused great working opportunities. The first one was even very hard to refuse because it was Portugal. I could be their coach in the national team.
"Also yours," he added, to which the Ferdinand replied: "No way!"
Referring to a contract, he continued: "Yeah. I had it there, on the table.
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"I’m still there a little bit. It was in 07-08 when Mr Capello got the job.
"I didn't (sign) because the national team job is something that I wouldn’t enjoy."
Mourinho, who once dubbed himself the 'Special One', previously revealed that his wife intervened amid England's approach.
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"My wife told me not to take it and she was right," he told The Guardian. "Lampard, Terry, Joe Cole, everybody, was saying, 'Come, come, come'. My players said, 'The guys from Manchester United and Liverpool call us and say to us: Tell your boss to come'. I had lots of positive things to push me.
"I cannot wait two years for a big competition. I cannot be spending two years playing against Kazakhstan and San Marino."
If Mourinho decides to leave Fenerbahce in 2026 when his contract expires, he could be tempted to take a national team position before potentially retiring from management.