The Portuguese coach is on Everton's radar, whose new owner, Dan Friedkin, also owns Roma, where Mourinho has already worked.
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In recent weeks, the pressure has been mounting on Sean Dyche, the current manager of Everton, due to the club’s poor start to the Premier League season.
With just four points from their opening six matches, Everton finds itself dangerously close to the relegation zone. The club’s struggles have led to growing speculation in the English media that Dyche’s time at the helm may be coming to an end. Reports suggest that the club’s new owner, Dan Friedkin, is keen on making a managerial change, and one name has emerged prominently as a potential successor: José Mourinho.
Mourinho, one of the most decorated managers in football history, is no stranger to the Premier League. Over the years, he has had successful stints managing some of the league’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. His reputation as a "serial winner" who has captured major trophies at every club he has managed has made him an attractive candidate for Everton’s hierarchy as they look to steady the ship and push the club back toward the top half of the table.
The connection between Everton and Mourinho goes beyond mere speculation, however. Dan Friedkin, Everton’s new owner, also owns AS Roma, the club where Mourinho recently spent two years as head coach. During his time at Roma, Mourinho led the team to the final of the UEFA Europa League and won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022, adding another European trophy to his already impressive résumé. The relationship between Mourinho and Friedkin is believed to be strong, and this connection has fueled rumors that Friedkin may want to reunite with the Portuguese tactician, this time at Everton.
Despite these reports, it’s important to note that Mourinho is currently under contract with Turkish club Fenerbahçe, having signed a two-year deal with them over the summer. Mourinho’s move to Fenerbahçe came as a surprise to many, given his stature in European football, but it was seen as an exciting challenge for the veteran manager to help the Turkish giants regain domestic dominance and make an impact in European competition. Mourinho’s experience and winning mentality were viewed as vital ingredients for Fenerbahçe’s aspirations.
However, the allure of a potential return to the Premier League could be hard for Mourinho to resist. The Premier League is widely regarded as the most competitive and prestigious football league in the world, and it holds a special place in Mourinho’s heart. His time at Chelsea, where he won multiple league titles and established himself as one of the top managers in the world, solidified his status as a Premier League legend. Mourinho’s desire to once again prove himself at the highest level in England could be a motivating factor in any potential move.
For Everton, the prospect of bringing in a manager of Mourinho’s caliber would represent a major coup. The club has struggled in recent years to find consistent success, often oscillating between mid-table finishes and relegation battles. Under Dyche, who was appointed in January 2023, there have been glimpses of improvement, but results have not been consistent enough to satisfy the fans or the new ownership group. Friedkin, who took over Everton earlier this year, is reportedly eager to make a statement by bringing in a high-profile manager who can transform the club’s fortunes.
Mourinho’s potential arrival at Everton would undoubtedly raise expectations. His proven track record of winning trophies, his tactical acumen, and his ability to galvanize a squad could be exactly what Everton needs to break out of its current slump. However, Mourinho’s management style, which has often been described as demanding and intense, could also pose challenges. He is known for being a polarizing figure in the dressing room, and his relationships with players and club executives have sometimes soured during his previous tenures. It remains to be seen how Mourinho would adapt to the specific demands of managing a club like Everton, which is in a rebuilding phase.
Another factor to consider is the financial aspect of such a move. Mourinho is likely to command a significant salary, and Everton, while historically a well-supported club, does not have the financial resources of the Premier League’s top teams. Any decision to bring in Mourinho would likely require backing in the transfer market as well, as the Portuguese manager has been known to demand investment in players who fit his tactical system. Everton’s current squad, while talented, may need significant reinforcements to compete at the level Mourinho would expect.
Moreover, there is the question of whether Mourinho’s pragmatic, defense-first approach to football would align with Everton’s ambitions and playing philosophy. While Mourinho has been highly successful with his tactics in the past, football has evolved in recent years, with many teams, including some of the Premier League’s top sides, favoring more attacking, possession-based styles of play. Mourinho’s methods have been criticized by some as outdated, and his more recent managerial stints, particularly at Manchester United and Tottenham, were marked by periods of inconsistency and scrutiny from the media and fans alike.
Despite these potential hurdles, the prospect of Mourinho returning to England, and specifically to Everton, continues to generate excitement. For the Toffees, a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase, the arrival of a manager of Mourinho’s pedigree could represent a turning point. Everton supporters have long yearned for the club to compete for silverware and challenge the Premier League’s elite, and Mourinho, with his wealth of experience and tactical expertise, could provide the foundation for such a resurgence.
As of now, nothing has been confirmed, and Mourinho remains committed to his current role at Fenerbahçe. However, with Everton’s managerial situation under scrutiny and Mourinho’s name continually linked to the job, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks. Should Mourinho make the move back to the Premier League, it would not only signal a new chapter for Everton but also for Mourinho himself, as he seeks to reestablish his dominance in a league where he once reigned supreme.
Updated: 03:13, 5 Oct 2024
