Fresh, calm Mourinho says a return next season may be premature

Jose Mourinho is enjoying life away from the pressures of football management and may not return to the game until the 2022/23 season.

The 58-year-old was sacked by Tottenham following a disappointing second half of the season which saw Spurs plummet from the top of the Premier League to outside the European places.

Mourinho left the north London club just six days before their Carabao Cup final at Wembley, which Manchester City won 1-0.

Gossip: Haaland to Spain; Sterling to leave Man City

His departure, following similar exits from Chelsea and Manchester United, look to have exhausted his options in the Premier League.

However, he is still likely to be in demand across Europe, with Roma the latest club to be linked with the Portuguese. A move into international management has also been mooted.

Mourinho, though, is prepared to play the waiting game as he weighs up his next move. And he insists his decision will be based on more than just the profile of the club.

“I have no plans,” Mourinho told the Times Magazine.

“I am going on with my normal life. I feel fresh. I feel calm. I am on holiday.

“I have more time to be doing my homework and analysis. I’ll wait to be back in football.

“Not just for the right club, but for the right culture. Maybe next season is premature, we will see.”

Mourinho will not be sitting idle in the summer, however, having lined up a number of new roles.

He will be providing analysis on the Euros for talkSPORT, while also writing columns for The Sun, Times and Sunday Times.

Speaking on his deal with talkSPORT, he said: “In my discussions with the team, I can feel their excitement for the Euros. I am thrilled to be part of it.”

It’s not Mourinho’s first foray into punditry, having enjoyed a spell with Sky Sports before being appointed by Tottenham.

Spurs, meanwhile, are still to appoint a successor, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag the latest manager to be linked with the job, only to seemingly rule themselves out.