Mourinho U-turn

By Rob Beasley

JOSE MOURINHO will stun the nation this week by making a shock U-turn and ruling himself OUT of the running for the England job.

In an exclusive Sport of the World interview, the People's Choice to replace Steve McClaren reveals all about his dramatic change of heart.

JOSE MOURINHO will shatter England's dreams this week when he officially rules himself out of the running to replace Steve McClaren.

Mourinho u-turn paves way for Capello

In the end, Jose's patriotic fervour for Portugal proved stronger than his undeniable passion for English football.

The chance to take charge of one of Europe's great clubs, his love of the day-to-day involvement that comes with club football plus a backlash in his homeland outweighed the golden opportunity to lead England into the next World Cup.

So this week the people's choice to succeed the sacked McClaren will reluctantly turn his back on the chance to become England boss.

His bombshell decision comes after an agonising bout of soul-searching.

Sport of the World has been at the epicentre of Mourinho's turmoil as he contemplated the biggest decisions of his life.

From the moment he sent me a text on the day McClaren gave his last England press conference to the 11th hour change of heart when a huge club offer landed on the table, I have been privvy to every twist and turn, ending with his incredible decision yesterday morning to walk away from England.

Golden

By 11am he had finally made up his mind, confiding his thoughts to a close and trusted friend.

Mourinho's confidant told me: "Jose wants to be Portugal's golden son forever so it is very difficult for him to go and coach another country.

"He feared he would lose respect from his own people, his own country and that was too much for him.

"The other complication was that late on Friday a big club put a great contract on the table for him to be coach next season.

"I expect he will wait for June with a signed contract in his pocket. That should be good, but Jose is still in pain because he would love to take on the England challenge, love to do it. But I believe he will now reject the job."

When Mourinho tells the FA of his decision it will complete the most dramatic of turnarounds.

Rewind to 7pm on Friday and the man himself was thinking of England, and England alone.

His manager, Jorge Mendes, had held secret talks with Brian Barwick in London and they'd gone well.

Mourinho was buoyant and excited.

He told me: "I have decided I will go to England if they want me. So now let the FA choose what they think is best for them.

"I certainly don't want to put pressure on them or push them to give me the job.

"Because this is the kind of job where everyone must be together in their opinion.

"The FA, the fans, the players and the press, the chosen one must be the manager for everybody. So I will now wait patiently and I will wait calmly and let's see what they decide."

But privately he felt the job was his and even spoke of taking control straight after Christmas.

He said: "I am going away on holiday now but if everything goes well I can be in England on January 1."

And he revealed how it was the clamour from England's fans and players that had convinced him he should lead the Three Lions.

He explained: "I love English football and I have to say that I have been amazed by the England fans — their support for me has been out of this world.

Challenge

"That's why I am now mentally ready to take charge of England.

"Honestly, I just couldn't say no to this job now. Yes, it is a massive job, a massive challenge.

"But when the English people say they want me and the players say they want me...well, I can't say no.

"It would be an honour to be manager of England and I am excited by the responsibilities of this England job."

Mendes had told Barwick the same in Friday's clandestine meeting in the capital and how he planned to resurrect the England side and a nation's pride.

The agent laid out Mourinho's vision for England, a way ahead for the mother of the game to restore its reputation and ranking.

Mourinho was planning to bring in his trusted Portuguese backroom staff, coach Baltemar Brito, fitness trainer Rui Faria and goalkeeping expert Silvinho Louro.

Barwick did not object.

Mourinho insisted, though, that he wanted his right-hand man to be an ex-England star, a figure loved and respected by the nation.

A man with a great history with the Three Lions and a good personality.

Former England skipper Tony Adams, now a coach at Portsmouth, was one possibility for that key role. Alan Shearer could have been another contender.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of activity at the FA as the Soho Square suits moved to clear the way.

McClaren's coach, Steve Round and his mentor, Bill Beswick, were told they no longer had a place in the FA's set-up, clearing the decks for the imminent announcement of Mourinho's arrival.

But that was then.

Now Mourinho's England plans lie in tatters and Barwick has suffered another Portuguese nightmare. Last time, he was left with egg on his face after he went chasing Portugal boss Felipe Scolari only to be rebuffed in humiliating fashion. Now Mourinho has pulled the rug from under him too.

And yet it was the man from Setubal who set the ball rolling.

Mourinho's camp made the first move just hours after McClaren's sacking on the morning of November 22.

They used an intermediary to find out if the FA were interested. They were and matters accelerated when chief executive Barwick returned from the World Cup draw in South Africa.

Problem

Mourinho booked to fly to London last Thursday.

He didn't come, fearing the publicity might scupper his chances, but the deal was still on.

The first sign of a problem came around 11pm on Friday when there was a dramatic twist to events.

Mourinho received a firm offer of a top job with one of Europe's finest sides. He was immediately torn. And less than 24 hours later the dream was dead — for both Mourinho and Barwick.

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