Report: Elite manager open to Newcastle talks amid takeover links

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Jose Mourinho is open to having talks about becoming the next Newcastle United manager if Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan completes his proposed takeover.

The Portuguese has been out of work since leaving Manchester United in December.

Apparently the Sheikh’s £350 million offer to buy the club is genuine according to his representatives, but current owner Mike Ashley is yet to see proof of the funds.

The Mirror claim Mourinho is aware that Sheikh Khaled is interested in him and that he has told friends he would seriously consider the gig.

Mourinho has spoken warmly about the club in the past, and worked with Geordie legend Sir Bobby Robson at Barcelona.

The reports come as current manager Rafa Benitez’s future remains in doubt.

The Spaniard, as things currently stand, will leave the club in just a few weeks unless a new contract is agreed, but the situation is obviously complicated.

TBR’s view

Mourinho – who has 25 major honours to his name so far as a manager – to Newcastle would be a very interesting move.

It would certainly be something different for him and surely his toughest test since his FC Porto days.

One would imagine such a move is unlikely though – the proposed takeover appears to be taking some time, with no guarantee it will actually go through.