“My Wife Told Me Not To Take It’ – Jose Mourinho Admits He Passed On The England Job In 2007 After Interference From A Higher Power

Chris Wright

10th, June 2014

1 Comment

By Chris Wright

Soccer - Chelsea FC Press Conference - Chelsea FC Training Ground

Jose Mourinho has admitted, not for the first time if memory serves, that he came perilously close to taking the England job upon leaving Chelsea, but was talked out of the idea after conferring with a higher power: his good lady wife, Matilde.

Mourinho was canned by Chelsea at the end of September in 2007, with Steve McClaren following suit two months down the line in December.

The Portuguese claims he was sorely tempted by the prospect of taking over the national side given that his Chelsea exit deal stated he was unable to manage again in the Premier League for the next two years, but was quickly talked out of it by his significant other – the right decision, as it happens:

“At that time I could not get an English club because of my contract when I left Chelsea. I couldn’t get an English club in the next two years. I could get the national team but not a club.”

“Lampard, Terry, Joe Cole, everybody, was saying, ‘Come, come, come [to manage England],’” My players said, ‘The guys from Manchester United and Liverpool call us and say to us: Tell your boss to come.’ I had lots of positive things to push me.”

“My wife told me not to take it and she was right. It was the right decision. We are talking about seven years ago … and I cannot wait two years for a big competition. I cannot be spending two years playing against Kazakhstan and San Marino.

“What would I do during the week? I could go to see the players training with their teams, I ask for permission to spend time with them and to have individual coaching with them … I have to work with them, I can improve things.

“I’m not going to stay at home, I have to travel, I want to see the players, I want to participate in their evolution blah, blah, blah, blah. But in the end my wife was saying: ‘No football, no matches, is not good for you.’

“And she was right. It was not the job for me seven years ago, it’s not the job for me now and I don’t think it will be the job for me in seven years’ time.

“Maybe in 15 years from now, but not seven.”

Righto people. You heard the man! Mark it on your calendars: June 10th, 2029.

(Via Guardian)

Posted in Chelsea, International football, Managers, Newsnow

Share this article: Email

1 Comment

  1. Jarren says:

    I know where he’s coming from.

    The wife is ALWAYS RIGHT.

    Even when she’s wrong.

    That is the secret to a happy marriage.

Leave a Reply