Jose Mourinho has given his picks for who he thinks could win Euro 2024, giving three teams he is tipping for success.
The 61-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January after two-and-a-half years in the role, and has insisted he is ready to return to management amid links to a number of sides.
He was rumoured to be of interest to Liverpool before the Reds appointed Arne Slot as manager, with the Portuguese’s next move unclear as his return nears ever-closer.
The veteran, who recently revealed himself that he has rejected the chance to manage Portugal twice in his career – including recently – may step back into the manager’s office soon but will be watching Euro 2024 from afar, cheering on his home team.
He has, meanwhile, revealed who he is backing for success at this summer’s tournament, and it will come as no surprise that he has picked out Portugal as one of the three sides.
‘For me, it’s one of the three strongest teams, Mourinho said at a tribute event for his father in Vila do Conde. ‘Portugal, France and England.
‘Surprises can happen, yes. But looking at the quality and quantity of players, I think Portugal has to go there to win.’
Gareth Southgate’s side remain favourites to win the competition in Germany this summer, priced ahead of France, Germany and Portugal.
The Three Lions will be bidding to win their first major trophy since 1966, and will be encouraged by the form of the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who are both bidding to win the Champions League.
Mourinho, meanwhile, recently revealed in an interview with Fabrizio Romano that he was offered the chance to manage Portugal just months prior to losing his job at Roma.
‘My feeling with Portugal is I had the door open twice, ‘Please come and the place is yours’, he said ‘Once was when I was in Real Madrid and the objective was to be the Portuguese coach in a part-time and when I realised the president, Florentino [Perez] told me it’s not possible.
‘Easy to accept, the second time, do I regret not taking it? Because a few months later I was sacked in Rome. I don’t regret.
‘I don’t regret because the reason why I didn’t accept, I’m happy with the reason, so I don’t regret to coach a national team tomorrow is an objective, if you ask me tomorrow I am not sure I was going to be happy.’
Roberto Martinez took over the side in January last year, helping his side become one of the first teams to qualify for the Euros with a perfect qualifying record.
‘Now we are at the Euros, with a coach who has done a great job and a great generation of players,’ Mourinho added this week. ‘I want it to go well, which is to win.
‘Winning will continue and go to the World Cup. If it has to happen one day, it will happen.’ I didn’t have any invitation from any Portuguese club.’
He reinstated his desire to return to management, meanwhile, saying: ‘Whatever happens, will happen. I know that the weight of my history is heavy,
‘I know that even when I coach teams that are not cut out to win, people always expect me to win. In the last two years I played in two European finals. I want to play more.’
