Jose Mourinho 'would seriously consider' taking over as Newcastle United manager, according to reports.
Billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan is keen to complete a £350million takeover of the Magpies this summer, but it remains to be seen what stage he's at in negotiations with owner Mike Ashley following conflicting reports.
Rafa Benitez's current contract as manager at St James' Park expires at the end of June and, with the ownership in doubt, so is the Spaniard's future at the club despite being a hit with the fans.
Newcastle diced with relegation after a disappointing first half of the campaign, but eight wins and three draws since the turn of the year saw Benitez steer his side to a 13th-placed finish in the Premier League, 11 points clear of the drop.
Should Dubai-based Sheikh Khaled complete his purchase of the Tyneside outfit, the Mirror claims that Mourinho has 'told friends the Newcastle job is one that he would seriously consider'.
Mourinho, who is 18/1 with Sky Bet for a third spell at Chelsea this summer, worked with Toon legend Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona as he served his managerial apprenticeship in the 1990s.
He said last summer of Newcastle: “I like to go there.
"I like the feeling of going to Mr Robson’s home. I like that feeling. I like the stadium. I like the atmosphere. They are a good, enthusiastic crowd. I like the Geordies.”
The Portuguese, believed to be 'aware of the interest' from Newcastle's potential new owner and 'open to a move', has never won a league game at St James' Park as manager, having lost four and drawn three in seven attempts with Chelsea and Man United.
He has been out of work since leaving Old Trafford in December and has since been working in the media as he awaits his next project.
Clips from Jose Mourinho's recent media work:
🙏 Oh to be a fly on the wall with these two in the studio...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) June 1, 2019
🗣️ Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger - old friends reunited for overseas coverage of the #UCLFinal
👇pic.twitter.com/7VInMGFLkr
🗣 “Everything I think today is about Jürgen’s mentality”
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) May 7, 2019
Jose Mourinho was full of praise for Klopp after Liverpool’s remarkable victory over Barcelona 👏 pic.twitter.com/M2qaAwcCcf
Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho on their futures.
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 1, 2019
(Name a more iconic duo. We'll wait 🤣)#beINUCL #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/Vld89uCs1S
Jose Mourinho refuses to be drawn on his future in the @beINSPORTS studio as Arsene Wenger tries to lighten the mood! 😂#beINUCL #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/FRC9WkRQLP
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 1, 2019
