Saudi club Al-Qadsiah are looking to appoint Jose Mourinho as their new manager, according to talkSPORT.
‘The Special One’ is already wanted by two other Saudi clubs, but Al-Qadsiah is pushing to bring the decorated coach to the Middle East as he looks to challenge his PIF-owned rivals in the top flight next season.
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Mourinho appears to have no shortage of options after saying he is ready to return to the dugout following his departure from Roma in January.
The 61-year-old has been linked with a number of top European clubs, including in the Premier League, as well as a move to international management, but it appears to be Saudi Arabia who are attracting the greatest interest.
Mourinho was recently pictured in the Middle East for the Saudi Grand Prix, where he met Newcastle’s president, with the coach sought by two Saudi clubs who, like the Magpies, are also owned by the Public Investment Fund .
But Qadsiah, which is owned by Saudi oil giant Aramco, has now entered the race, according to talkSPORT’s Saudi football correspondent Ben Jacobs.
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Qadsiah is expected to secure promotion from the Saudi Premier Division to the Pro League this season and has big ambitions to challenge the league’s top teams next year.
Jacobs says: “Nothing is done yet, but he is their first choice as they look to challenge the PIF-controlled clubs – two of whom are also lobbying for José.
“Mourinho is expected in Khobar, where Qadsiah plays, at the end of May as part of a planned visit to see the club.”
The news comes after the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss admitted he would “work tomorrow” if the right opportunity presented itself.
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“I’m not resting, I want to work,” he told beINSPORTS.
“I want to work but I just don’t want to make bad decisions. I have to wait for the right one, the one who motivates me.
“But if I could work tomorrow, I would work tomorrow.”
Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, he also said: “I hope so, I want [return to the dugout]. You know, Roma was great because we played in two European finals in two years and it’s difficult for a club that has never made it.
“Now I have to wait for the right opportunity. I want to work tomorrow if possible, but I don’t want to make the wrong decision.”
