FA rejects Mourinho’s claim of being the first choice for English manager of ‘Three Lions’

Football Associated (FA) rejected Jose Mourinho’s claims that he was hours away from being hired as ‘Three Lions’ team manager. Mourinho gave the scourging statement to French daily L’Equipe when he affirmed that he was the first choice after McClaren was
sacked. FA spokesman explained that Fabio was the first choice for the job and it was clear from the outset.

Jose Mourinho revealed that he was to join English National Team as a manager before the appointment of Fabio Capello. He admitted that he would have been the successor of Steve McClaren when the latter was sacked by the English team. Mourinho opted for
an exit from Chelsea in September 2007 after Steve McClaren was sacked by English National Team in July 2007. The Portuguese tactician rather decided to remain in the team management. The former Chelsea boss further admitted that Football Association was hours
away for signing him for the England squad before they took the verdict to procure Italian Fabio Capello.

The 48-year-old Real coach asserted, “The statement from FA [Football Association] is not correct as I was the first choice for the job at England Team. I was hours away of signing the deal for English National Team but then I started thinking in the last
minute.” There will be only one match with England team in a month and rest of the time, he would be watching the games sitting in his office. He explained he would have to wait for summer for European Championship or a World Cup. This job was certainly not
for him, he concluded. Mourinho declared, “At the last moment, I pulled back and preferred to wait for the right time to come, a good club, and that was Inter Milan.”

Jose was out of touch with the game for almost nine months before he joined Inter Milan in June 2008 and then he left for Santiago Bernabeu [Real Madrid] in 2010. After his departure from Stamford Bridge, he went to Africa and Japan, and did some experiments
with his playing tactics. He also revealed that he was offered for a job at Paris St. Germain but he refused to take the opportunity as he was not happy for the quality of football being played there. When inquired about not picking the French Ligue 1’s job,
he told French Sports daily I’ Equipe, “I do not know, perhaps because of the feeling that I was a bit more inclined towards Spain, England and Italy as they are powerful leagues. We must make our careers by working most of the years at the highest levels.
When I left Chelsea, I tried something fantastic. I always looked for world’s best leagues.”