Jose Mourinho ‘reaches agreement to become manager of Al-Shabab’ just days after Roma sacking

JOSE MOURINHO has reportedly agreed to become the new manager of Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab.

The Special One was sacked by Roma earlier this week after a dismal run in Serie A.

AP

Jose Mourinho is set to take charge at Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab following his Roma exit[/caption]

But he is reportedly set for an immediate return to the beautiful game after holding positive talks with Al-Shabab chiefs on Thursday.

Aawsat claims Mourinho held a Zoom meeting with sporting director Dominico Tite before verbally agreeing to become their new manager.

The Saudi Pro League’s recruitment team had already give Al-Shabab permission to discuss a mega-money contract.

And Mourinho will supposedly fly to Riyadh in the coming days to finalise terms on his new deal.

The ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss apparently impressed Tite with his knowledge of the Saudi sporting project.

Al-Shabab have not won the Pro League title in 12 years, while their last trophy came a decade ago in the Saudi King’s Cup.

And Mourinho reportedly vowed to return them to the top by filling the squad with top international players in a super spending spree this summer.

Last year he admitted his travels would eventually end up taking him to the Middle East.

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Mourinho said: “I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there.

“I don’t know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this.”

Al-Shabab are currently 11th in the Saudi Pro League table and were most recently managed by ex-Liverpool player and Champions League winner Igor Biscan.

The former Croatia international was only appointed in October but lasted just 11 matches following just three wins.

He was shown the door after Christmas, and Al-Shabab have since been under caretaker control.

Unlike Saudi rivals, they don’t boast many big-name international stars.

Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco is their top star, costing just £13million from Atletico Madrid last summer.

Ex-Wolves defender Romain Saiss and former Argentina midfielder Ever Banega are also on Al-Shabab’s books.

But their move for Mourinho indicates they are ready to start splashing in a bid to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and N’Golo Kante’s Al-Ittihad.

Should he take the job, it will be Mourinho’s first spell outside of Europe.

He was axed by Roma on Tuesday after a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan left the capital club ninth in Serie A.

Mourinho departed the training ground in tears after forming an emotional connection with the fans.

He led Roma to their first ever continental trophy in 2022 as he won the inaugural Europa Conference League.

Mourinho then took them to last season’s Europa League final, where they lost on penalties to Sevilla.

Roma have since appointed club legend Daniele De Rossi as caretaker boss until the end of the season, with his first game taking place against Verona tomorrow.

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