Jose Mourinho claims he turned down the opportunity to be England’s manager before Fabio Capello took the job in December 2007.The Portuguese coach would have succeeded Steve McClaren in the job soon after failing to qualify for the EURO 2008.The revelation came after Mourinho was asked about the long-standing debate between Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, FIVE.”I could have been the coach of their national team. I had it there on the table,” responded the recently sacked Roma boss, who was then asked why he said no. “Because I always had national team jobs as something I wouldn’t enjoy. It was in 2007-08, and Mr (Fabio) Capello got the job.”Jose Mourinho made a fortune just from sack paymentsMourinho also commented on England’s chances at the upcoming tournament and identified Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid as a potential defining factor.”It is a very good generation (of England players),” said Mourinho. “They got to the Euro (2020) final, they can do it (win Euro 2024).”The mentality of the guys who have gone abroad, (Jude) Bellingham, for example, I believe there is something that separates him from the boys that were born in England, developed in England, and are playing in England. He can add something different, he is a kid of the world. He has a big, big personality.José Mourinho, on African players and African people😂👏pic.twitter.com/s9A1xtyb4w— IM🇵🇹 (@Iconic_Mourinho) February 15, 2024 “Southgate with Steve Holland, he was my assistant at Chelsea and what a person, they’ve done a beautiful job there, but it’s just missing that little bit. I cannot say I wish they do it (win the Euros) because I think Portugal can do it and I wish Portugal do it.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7873850##
