Jose Mourinho has said that his wife, Matilde Faria, convinced him not to become England manager in 2007.
The Chelsea manager was keen to take up the role as Steve McClaren’s successor, after the Three Lions failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and was even considering players he might invite.
However, a chat with his wife made his realise how he would get bored in between international matches.
“She was right. Too early for me,” he recalled, speaking to Clare Balding for a BT Sport Christmas Day Special. “I love the day-by-day [of club management], I love to play, I love the pressure of the day-by-day, the training, the travelling, the matches, the competitiveness.
“I remember clearly there was a moment where the next match for England would be in Paris, France v England, a friendly match – and I was already thinking about who to select, who to play, how to do it.
“She came to me and said: ‘When is the next match? Ah, the next match is in two months. What are you doing for two months, what are you doing, what are you thinking?’ She was saying: ‘Forget it, it’s not for you. Maybe in 20 years.'”
Mourinho went on to join Inter Milan, where he won the Treble, including the UEFA Champions League trophy for the second time.
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