Ex-Liverpool star predicts PIF masterplan for Jose Mourinho and Newcastle United

Stan Collymore expects Jose Mourinho to manage a Saudi Pro League club before taking the reins at Newcastle United.

The former Chelsea manager was sacked by Roma earlier this week after a 2-1 defeat at AC Milan. Mourinho leaves the Serie A outfit in ninth place but built a strong rapport with I Giallorossi fans after guiding them to their first European trophy, the Conference League, two years ago.

A teary-eyed Mourinho was mobbed by Roma supporters following the news - with focus immediately switching to his next destination. Newcastle links emerged given his ties to Sir Bobby Robson.

Mourinho worked as a translator and eventual assistant for the Toon great at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona before forging his own path. The Portuguese tactician’s reputation also makes him a plausible option for a Middle Eastern move as PIF aim to grow the game in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, former Liverpool star Collymore has predicted Mourinho to join a Saudi Pro League club before making the switch to St James’ Park. The 52-year-old did, however, express reservations about his style of play.

“Wherever Jose Mourinho has gone to manage he has been handsomely paid,” Collymore said. “Therefore, I think the next step for the legendary coach now is Saudi Arabia and they will love him there

“Mourinho’s future could be that he moves to Saudi Arabia for around 18 months and, somewhere within that period of time, Eddie Howe will be sacked by Newcastle and the Portuguese coach will be parachuted into the Tyneside club. That would be nice for him as he would finally get to say ‘I have followed in the footsteps of Sir Bobby Robson’, a man the former Chelsea boss idolises.

“The problem Newcastle may have is that the fans will not accept him because of his style of play, especially going from Howe to the Portuguese coach’s pragmatism. The two issues Mourinho will have if he arrives at a top Premier League club is that he is not doing the business anymore, in terms of results, and that fans of these clubs expect exciting, attacking football - which the former Chelsea boss doesn’t provide.”