José Mourinho was in talks to take charge of Portugal before accepting Real Madrid's offer to return to the Bernabéu, according to Spanish newspaper AS. Portugal instead appointed Jorge Jesus, while Mourinho is set for a second spell at Madrid.
The outlet reported that the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) contacted Mourinho in April, several weeks before the World Cup.
Roberto Martínez was expected to leave the Portugal job after the tournament, regardless of the result, and Mourinho, then Benfica coach, was the federation's first choice.
AS reported that Mourinho met with FPF directors and discussed the terms of taking charge of the national team. The FPF, Mourinho, and Real Madrid had not publicly commented on the report.
GOAL reported that the FPF also approached Mourinho in 2012, when he was managing Real Madrid, but the club refused to let him combine the two roles.
How Did Real Madrid End Mourinho's Portugal Job Talks?
AS said Real Madrid approached Mourinho while those discussions were underway. President Florentino Pérez and his deputy, José Ángel Sánchez, wanted a coach with experience of winning major trophies after another season without one.
According to the report. Pérez then asked Mourinho to return. Mourinho accepted the offer, according to AS. The newspaper described his relationship with Pérez as one built on trust that has continued since Mourinho left Madrid in 2013.
The announcement was delayed by the club's presidential election, which Pérez won. Real Madrid confirmed Mourinho's appointment in June on a contract running until 30 June 2029.
He replaced Álvaro Arbeloa, who had taken over in January after Xabi Alonso was dismissed. Benfica appointed Marco Silva as their new coach. It is Mourinho's second spell in the Spanish capital.
His first, from 2010 to 2013, produced one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de España.
Who Took the Portugal Job Instead of Mourinho?
The FPF appointed Jorge Jesus after Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup round of 16. Martínez's contract expired after the defeat. Jesus, 71, signed a four-year deal running until 2030. It is his first job as a national team coach.
He won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, where he coached both Ronaldo and João Félix. Portugal has won both Nations League games under him so far, beating Wales 1-0 and Norway 2-1 away from home. Félix scored in both matches.
What Does the Report Mean for Ronaldo and Mourinho's Madrid?
Ronaldo, 41, started against Wales but was an unused substitute in Oslo. ESPN reported it was the first time that has happened in a competitive game for more than 18 years.
The forward walked straight down the tunnel at full-time without going over to the travelling supporters, ESPN said. Jesus defended the decision, saying he "needed a player with different characteristics."
ESPN reported that Gonçalo Ramos, who started in Ronaldo’s place, scored the winner after Erling Haaland had equalised for Norway. Jesus described the decision as tactical and said it was not to protect Ronaldo physically.
"He was in condition to play for as long as I wanted him to," he said. He told TNT Sports that Ronaldo could feature against Denmark.
Mourinho's start at Madrid has been uneven. ESPN reported that Atlético Madrid beat his side 2-1 in Madrid's seventh game of the season. The defeat left Madrid six points behind Barcelona and one point behind Atlético.
