Speculation is rife that former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho is so keen to take the England job that he’s already drafted a “blueprint” for English success, according to the Guardian. And he would be quite a popular choice, too: the British paper says there’s already “a groundswell of public support” for the Portuguese manager. The English FA will presumably meet with the Mourinho camp this week to go over the job details. There’s no rush, of course, as England failed to qualify for the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland this summer and World Cup qualifying won’t begin until next fall. Although Mourinho has said he would prefer to begin negotiations before the Christmas holiday.
According to the Guardian, Mourinho’s so-called “blueprint” includes the building of a national soccer center in Burton, changing the organization’s infrastructure to be more club-like, and instituting a full-time medical staff unconnected with any Premier League teams.
That said, it’s far from certain the former Chelsea man would take the job if offered. Reports in Milan yesterday also linked him with the top job in Milan, as Carlo Ancelotti’s European champions continue to struggle at home. That article suggested that Mourinho is using the England negotiations as leverage to land a high profile job in Spain or Italy, long rumored to be his preferred destination. However, Mourinho’s media consultant told the Guardian the Italian report was full of “lies.”