JOSE MOURINHO has sensationally revealed that he “had the contract on the table” to become England manager in 2007.
The legendary former Chelsea boss revealed he came close to coaching England’s “Golden Generation” after leaving Chelsea following his first spell in charge.
“The Special One” was speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the former defender’s Five Podcast.
Mourinho’s revelation came after Ferdinand asked him to rank Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard in terms of ability.
Jose responded: “I could [have been] their coach in the national team, also yours…” and pointed to Ferdinand.
The ex-Manchester United defender thought Mourinho was joking at first and said: “Imagine, we would have won something.”
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Mourinho then knocked on a coffee table and said “I had it there”, referring to having a contract on the table from the FA.
A shocked Ferdinand said: “No way, why did you say no?” Before Mourinho explained that something about coaching a national team has never appealed to him.
He explained: “I had it there on the table. [I didn’t take it] because I was and am still am there a little bit [mentally] that a national team job was something I wouldn’t enjoy.
“This was Chelsea so 04/05, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08 and 07/08 was when Mr Capello got the job.”
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Ferdinand’s co-presenter Stephen Howson said that Mourinho could still do it, which led to Mourinho saying he still keeps tabs on England’s national team.
The former Real Madrid and Inter coach then said: “It is a very good generation. They can win the Euros this year.”
He reserved special praise for Jude Bellingham and said the midfielder playing outside of the Premier League could give Englnad the edge when it comes to winning a trophy.
Mourinho said: “For example [Jude] Bellingham I don’t know the kid I never spoke with the kid but I believe that there is something that separates him from the boys that were born in England, developed in England, playing in England, living in England.
“When this kid in Madrid scored a goal and open the arms is this dimension you know, it shows character, it is not arrogance.
“It is just you know, yeah, ‘I did it again’. You know, you see the kid’s got a big, big, big personality.
When Mourinho was then asked if he wants England to win the upcoming Euros he said: “I cannot say I wish they do it, because I think Portugal can do it and I wish Portugal do it. But they can do it. That generation can do it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
