Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admitted that he told a stranger he bumped into on the street about his big prediction for Euro 2024 this summer.
Jose Mourinho, whose Manchester United spell ended in 2018, has been out of management since January after he was dismissed from his role at Roma.
The 61-year-old Portuguese manager has patiently waited on the sideline for his next role in management, despite attracting interest following his sacking at Roma.
Former Roma boss Mourinho had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and even turned down a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League.
The ‘Special One’ has ruled out retirement and Mourinho has outlined his ambitions for a would-be club approaching him over his return to management.
Following his spell with Roma, Mourinho has since been spotted at major events like the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight.
Mourinho tells man his Euro 2024 prediction
Jose Mourinho previously revealed that he was linked with the Portugal managerial role after Fernando Santos left his role at the national team post-2022 World Cup.
Portugal, who are now managed by Roberto Martinez, have punched their ticket to Euro 2024 in Germany after an impressive qualifying campaign.
Roberto Martinez’s men won all 10 of their Euro 2024 qualifiers in Group J, with Portugal finishing eight points clear of second-place Slovakia.
Portugal have been placed in Group F alongside Turkey, Georgia and Czech Republic for the tournament this summer.
Manchester United players both past and present are expected to be called up by Martinez for Euro 2024, including Diogo Dalot, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mourinho opened up about his own success in Portugal in European competitions during his time in charge at Porto.
The ex-Real Madrid and United boss revealed a random person bumped into him on the street and asked him when Portugal would see success again like he achieved.
Mourinho then claimed that he told the man that Portugal could win Euro 2024 and that the national team are “incredible” and the “best ever” under manager Martinez.
“The other day, I bumped into some guy in the street who was saying, ‘When are we going to have it again in Portugal like that?’” Mourinho said.
“I told him that we can win the Euros in a couple of months because we have an incredible national team – the best ever.
“But with a club to win the Champions League again in Portugal? Let’s see if we do in the next 20 years.”
Why Mourinho turned down Portugal
Mourinho said that he had been approached by the Portuguese FA over the Portugal role, but he turned down the opportunity and stayed at Roma after his European success.
The ex-Inter Milan and Chelsea boss lifted the Europa Conference League title in his debut season at the Stadio Olimpico.
However, Mourinho admitted that he was deeply flattered after the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) wanted him at Portugal.
“The fact that the president of the FPF said that I was not his first choice, but his only choice, makes me proud,” he said, as per Cabine Sport in January.
“But I decided not to go. I’m here and that’s what matters.”