Jose Mourinho makes surprise claim about Portugal job offer

Roma manager Jose Mourinho has claimed he rejected the chance to take over the Portugal national team this month, despite being informed he was the ‘only choice’ for the job.

Fernando Santos stepped down from the role after a bitterly disappointing World Cup and Mourinho’s name was soon mentioned as a possible replacement, although the vacant position eventually went to former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

Mourinho has now claimed that he was Portugal’s first choice for the role but, after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes, he decided to reject the opportunity.

“The fact that the president of the FPF said that I was not his first choice, but his only choice, makes me proud,” Mourinho said, via Cabine Desportiva.

“But I decided not to go. I’m here [at Roma] and that’s what matters.”

Gomes himself has since admitted he spoke to a number of different candidates but insisted Martinez was the only one to receive a formal offer.

“What I can say is that we spoke to a lot of people,” Gomes said when asked about Mourinho’s comments. “I have a great relationship with Portuguese coaches.

“The only proposal we made was to Roberto Martinez.”