Jose Mourinho Reveals His Lionel Messi Dream And Wants To Coach Superstar

Jose Mourinho Reveals His Lionel Messi Dream And Wants To Coach Superstar

Jose Mourinho may have provided a hint to his next job in football after revealing that he wished he could have coached Lionel Messi.

Jose Mourinho admits he would love to have coached Lionel Messi and even reckons he could learn a thing or two from the Argentina World Cup hero

The ex-Porto, Chelsea, Man United and Real Madrid boss is out of work after leaving Roma last month, and it has led to intense speculation about his next move.

In an interview with influencer Ohm on YouTube, the 61-year-old Portuguese boss opened up on some memories and anecdotes of his managerial career, having overseen some of football’s biggest names from the touchline, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard among others.

When asked which player he would most liked to have coached, The Special One replied: ‘An example is Messi, he doesn’t need to be coached. Who can say “I was Messi’s coach”?

‘It seems absurd to me, because he knows everything and was born with everything. Maybe he can teach you things. It would only be to say that I had the honor of having him in the team. Then there are a lot of players.

‘To stay on the subject of Roma, I would have liked [Daniele] De Rossi at Inter and Real Madrid, but it wasn’t possible. I also wanted [Francesco] Totti at Inter, despite his age, and it wasn’t possible. They’re always players you want to coach in your career.’

Gerardo Martino is currently head coach at MLS side Inter Miami, where Messi is on the books following his high-profile switch last summer.

The Argentine manager similarly took up his role in June last year, but if the MLS side were looking for a new direction, Mourinho has previously expressed his interest in promoting the sport in the United States, so the pair could still team up.

In a 2011 interview, Mourinho said: ‘I see myself coaching a [club] team, coaching the national team, or helping develop soccer in the U.S. When I’m tired of winning things in Europe, it’s something I want to do.’

Mourinho was hurt by his dismissal from the head coach role at Roma, leaving a bitter farewell note to the players after ‘feeling betrayed’ by the manner of his exit, despite guiding them to back-to-back European finals.

According to Il Messaggero, Mourinho returned a ring he had been gifted by his players after they won the Europa Conference League in 2022 to the locker of captain Lorenzo Pellegrini before departing the Stadio Olimpico.

He is now taking the time to decide his next job, and there are many global options on the table for the 61-year-old at the moment, despite ruling out any imminent positions in Saudi Arabia.

Last month, Mail Sport reported that Mourinho believes he has ‘unfinished business’ at Manchester United, and would like to return to Old Trafford.

He was also linked to Barcelona after Xavi announced his exit at the end of the season, but that has been played down by sporting director Deco.

And he maintains strong connections with London, with his wife and children living in the English capital, which has led to rumours of a third stint at Chelsea.