After a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Thursday, Fenerbache manager Jose Mourinho made some comments that excited fans of many Premier League clubs, including West Ham.
The Portuguese manager was sent off into the stands by the referee for causing trouble on the touchline. The trouble started when he believed his team should’ve had a penalty just before the hour mark and he was sent off by referee Clement Turpin for failing to stay in his technical area.
Full of passion after the match, Mourinho said: “I think the best thing I have to do when I leave Fenerbahce is go to a club that doesn’t play in Europe. So if any club in England at the bottom of the table needs a manager in the next two years, I’m ready to go”
It looks like the Portuguese coach is already looking at his next role despite only signing his contract at Fenerbache in July. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager signed a two-year deal with the Istanbul outfit, but has got off to an underwhelming start. They currently sit fourth, eight points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray at the top.
Jason Cundy of talkSPORT believed this was a call from Jose Mourinho to a club like West Ham United. He said: “Basically, it’s a call to West Ham. He says ‘in two years’ [he wants to be back in England] but he means it now. Everything he says is calculated, by design. He knows whose buttons he’s pressing. He’s a genius.”
A surprised O’Hara replied: “Do you reckon West Ham could get him? I’d love to see him back in the Premier League. I wonder if West Ham fans would take him?”
By all reports, West Ham are still said to be backing Julen Lopetegui despite a very disappointing start to the season, however with the Hammers facing one of Mourinho’s former clubs Manchester United this weekend, a defeat could be costly for the Spaniard. There are no real clear candidates for the role, so a future move for Jose Mourinho can’t be completely ruled ou just yet.
If Mourinho was ever to be hired as West Ham manager, he would undoubtedly cause a split in the West Ham fan base. His pedigree as a manager cannot be argued with but he isn’t the same manager as when he became known as one of the world’s best.
A move for Jose would also go against the new ideas Tim Steidten has for West Ham United, the German technical director would much rather go for a younger and hungrier manager who aligns with the type of players he is bringing in.