JOSE MOURINHO has rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi side Al-Shabab, according to reports.
The Portuguese was offered a quick route back into management after being sacked by Roma earlier this week.
Reports from the Middle East suggested that Mourinho, 60, had held “positive talks” with Al-Shabab.
But according to reporter Pedro Morata, the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss turned down the Saudi Pro League side.
He adds, however, that Mourinho is on “stand-by” for a job that will “motivate” him.
It comes as the Special One was spotted arriving in Barcelona.
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He was seen coming through arrivals at the airport wearing a baseball cap.
Reporters at the airport asked him about his future, including potentially replacing Xavi at the Nou Camp, but Mourinho declined to answer the questions.
Had he been interested in taking up the reins at Al-Shabab, Mourinho would have found a team 11th in the Saudi Pro League, having won just five of their 19 matches this term.
Their squad features former Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco, Argentine veteran Ever Banega and former Wolves ace Romain Saiss.
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They last won the Saudi Pro League 12 years ago and have previously been managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Mourinho was visibly emotional as he departed Roma’s facility for the final time earlier this week.
He was subsequently replaced by club legend Daniele De Rossi on a deal until the end of the season.
The former midfielder inspired Roma to a 2-1 win over Verona in his first game in charge yesterday.
Following his sacking, Mourinho posted a video montage of his time in the Eternal City to his social media account.
He captioned it: “Sweat, blood, tears, joy, sadness, love, brothers, history, heart, eternity.”
Mourinho is unlikely to be out of work for long, despite his string of sackings.
Bookies suggest that his next move could be to Newcastle, with Eddie Howe having come under pressure this term.
They also reckon the Portuguese national team could be a possibility, or an emotional homecoming to Porto.
Earlier this month, Mourinho was linked with the Brazil national team gig.
At the time, when still manager of Roma, he said: “I don’t know if it’s true that Brazil wants me.
“They haven’t spoken to me. I asked my agent not to tell me anything about any contacts.”
His arrival in Spain will likely fuel more potential clubs.
His final months in charge of Roma were littered with bizarre incidents.
He was sent off twice in four days just weeks before his sacking.
While he also substituted a bewildered-looking Renato Sanches just 18 minutes after bringing him on.
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He baffled Italian journalists by insisting on speaking Portuguese to them… despite being fluent in their language.
Mourinho then later snubbed press altogether after being dumped out of the Coppa Italia by Lazio.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
