The experienced head coach of “Fenerbahçe” admits: if he is to step up to the national-team level, he wants to start at home. In a quick-fire interview, Mourinho reflects on his personal responsibility to Portugal’s supporters, possible alternatives, and why he approaches a national-team debut with the principle “home first.”
On His Calling and the World Cup
- — José, what do you want from working with a national team?
- — For me this isn’t a one-off adventure, but a project with a clear mission: to lead the national team to the World Cup and walk that path as a Portuguese with the Portuguese. I haven’t worked in Portuguese football since 2004, and I feel that my first introduction to the international stage at national-team level should happen with Portugal.
Fan Reaction and the Boundaries of Loyalty
- — Suppose you took charge of another national team. How would that be received at home?
- — I think it would be taken hard at home. Portuguese fans expect from me not only results, but loyalty to our own. I’m a professional and can adapt to any project, but there are emotional boundaries I wouldn’t want to cross on day one in international football.
Why Not Brazil — And Who Could Be Of Interest In Theory
- — Your name has been linked with Brazil. How realistic is that?
- — As a first step — no. I’ve never considered Brazil as a starting point. Hypothetically, I could take a team with which I have a genuine connection. Portugal and Brazil have historical ties; in England I have a home and a huge part of my career; in Italy I spent intense years and I understand the context of calcio very well. But I’ll repeat: first and foremost — Portugal.
The First Experience Should Be At Home
- — So your debut at national-team level is only possible with Portugal?
- — That’s how I see it. The first cycle, the first coaching staff, the first responsibility before the country — all of that should happen at home. After I go through that path, I’ll be able to consider other options, but the start — only with Portugal.
Here And Now
- — How does this align with your club work?
- — Today I’m fully focused on “Fenerbahçe.” But speaking about the horizon, I state my goal honestly: if fate leads me to international football, I want my first match as a national-team head coach to be played to the Portuguese anthem and with our flag on the sleeve.
