Mourinho Was Presented the Newcastle United Position, but Chose Benfica Over It
In the world of football, connections and offers can often make for intriguing tales. Such is the case with the stories surrounding Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and Newcastle United.
Back in the 1990s, Mourinho and Guardiola first crossed paths at Barcelona, where Mourinho replaced Johan Cruyff as assistant manager under Sir Bobby Robson. Fast forward to 2020, Guardiola revealed in a documentary titled "Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager" that he wrote a letter to Robson, expressing his desire to join the English club during his time as a player at Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Mourinho's connection with Newcastle United dates back to 2004, when he was offered an assistant manager role by Robson, an offer he eventually declined, citing his ambition and prior working relationship. This offer was discussed in a BBC report at the time.
Mourinho's rejection of the offer did not deter Robson, who was known for his kindness. According to reports, Robson was kind in his response to Guardiola's letter.
Mourinho, in a book he wrote, spoke about the offer and stated that he knew his time would come, implying a future management role. This statement seems to have proven true, as Mourinho is expected to return to management with Benfica in 2025.
Mourinho has been sporadically linked with a role at Newcastle United, and his first win in Newcastle came in 2020, when he managed Tottenham Hotspur in a match against Newcastle United.
Despite Mourinho's past connection with Newcastle United and Guardiola's expressed interest in joining the club, there is no indication that either has been offered or declined a coaching position at the club according to the provided sources. Instead, they have been linked with other clubs, with Guardiola currently managing Manchester City and Mourinho potentially returning to Benfica.
Mourinho paid tribute to Robson in 2020, making a reference to his statue at Newcastle United's stadium. The statue stands as a testament to the impact Robson had on the club and the game of football as a whole.
In a list of the greatest managers ever, Robson ranks at no.12, while Guardiola comes in at no.5. Their high rankings are a testament to their impact on the game and the success they achieved during their managerial careers.
As we look back at these connections, it's clear that football is a game built on opportunities and close calls. It's fascinating to consider what could have been if Mourinho and Guardiola had taken up the offers from Robson and joined forces at Newcastle United. For now, we can only speculate and enjoy the exciting football that both managers continue to bring to the game.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
