Jose Mourinho favourite for shock appointment after dropping Newcastle United hint

The manager of Fenerbahce since last year, the Portuguese tactician has already hinted at a possible exit. Bizarre comments include telling a room of reporters that nobody watches the Turkish league from overseas.

Another unusual situation saw Mourinho brazenly appeal to English clubs not competing in Europe. With Newcastle United struggling at the time, many took his words as a hint to the St James’ Park hierarchy. 

"The best thing I can do when I leave Fenerbahce is go to a club that doesn’t play in UEFA competition,” he said. “So a club at the bottom in England, who needs a coach in two years, I’m ready to go. I don’t want to speak any more about it.”

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Mourinho has stormed to the top of the market after Everton pulled the trigger on Sean Dyche. The former Burnley man came under criticism with the club sitting one point above the drop zone.

New ownership group the Friedkins gained control earlier this month and that possibly explains the ambitious Mourinho links. Speaking last week, Dyche admitted his position is under scrutiny - before the Toffees bizarrely pulled the plug just hours before their game against Peterborough United.

“To be clear, it should be,” Dyche replied when asked whether his job is under pressure. “At the end of the day, if you’re a business of this size, and this club, a succession plan should surely be part of their diligence.

“I’ve got no problem with that at all. I think that should be ongoing at every football club. It’s part of the business, surely? I’m sure it is in what we’d call ‘normal business life’, that is, outside of football.

“So, I never really concern myself with that. You’ve got to win games, we haven’t won enough this season, you’ve got to make sure the team is operating the right way, you’ve got to try and please everyone, all of the time.”