Jose Mourinho is under pressure to turn around an awful start to the season for Chelsea. We all know that.
But maybe the man himself realizes it more than most, as multiple reports on Tuesday claim that the Portuguese coach is already sniffing out opportunities to coach in France and Italy.
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Mourinho, 52, has overseen five defeats in 10 Premier League games so far this season as the reigning champs are languishing in 15th spot on 11 points but are only nine points off fourth place despite all of their troubles.
The Independent claims that Mourinhoโs representatives have reached out to Paris Saint-Germain about taking over at the Ligue 1 outfit. With Laurent Blanc delivering back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, the Qatari ownership fueling PSGโs success wants success in Europe and givenย Mourinhoโs superb record in the UEFA Champions League, perhaps he can take Les Parisiens to the next level?
That same report alsoย says that Mourinho is lining up a move to Inter Milan, a club where he is still revered after guiding Internazionale to the Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League treble in 2010.ย With moves to other top teams in either England or Spain ruled out due to Mourinho burning bridges over the years, it seems like a move to PSG (which he is said to favor) or heading back to Italy are his only options.
Of course, Mourinho leaving Chelsea is by no means done and dusted. In the latest Premier League Playback we discussed how he should be given more time to turn around the dismal situation his team find themselves in. With problems on and off the pitch continuing โ Mourinho was again charged with misconduct by the FA on Monday after being sent to the stands during Saturdayโs defeat at West Ham โ the โSpecial Oneโ has now racked up $150,000 worth of fines during his time coaching in England and will continue to live and die by the sword.
Adding to the notion that Mourinho should remain at Chelsea to salvage this season and beyond is the fact that it would cost owner Roman Abramovich $45 million to fire him as Mourinho only signed a new four-year contract in the summer to extend his second spell at Chelsea.
If Mourinho does get fired or decide to call it quits, he will have options. But if he fails to turn things around at Stamford Bridge before then, those options could diminish despite the fact he is one of the greatest managers in the history of the game.
As the saying goes for a player: โyouโre only as good as your last game.โ The same applies to coaches.
