Portugal hoping to tempt Mourinho

Published Sep. 16, 2010 1:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Reports suggest the Portuguese Football Federation want Jose Mourinho to coach the national side on an interim basis.

They hope the Real Madrid boss will agree to oversee the next two fixtures of the country's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Portugal are currently without a manager after Carlos Queiroz was relieved of his duties earlier this month.

The former Manchester United assistant was absent for the start of European Championship qualifying after being handed a six-month ban for disrupting a pre-World Cup anti-doping test, but ultimately paid the price for his failure in South Africa.

With Portugal having taken just one point from their opening two games on the road to Euro 2012, it is imperative that they bounce back against Denmark and Iceland in October.

Long-term stability will be required if the nation are to remain competitive on the international stage, but for now a quick-fix option is being considered.

Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail has suggested that Mourinho could be drafted in to help steady the ship, and he plans to meet with the Real boss on Thursday.

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes will also be in attendance as Portugal attempt to thrash out an agreement with the most high-profile coach to have emerged from their shores.

It remains to be seen whether a deal can be put in place, as Madail admits "negotiations will be difficult".

However, former Chelsea and Inter Milan chief Mourinho has admitted in the past that he would welcome the opportunity to coach his homeland at some stage.

Should he decide that now is not the right time, Portugal will turn their attention back to making a permanent appointment.

They have been quick to play down speculation that ex-Sporting Lisbon boss Paulo Bento has already been approached, while reports continue to suggest that Diego Maradona remains a surprise candidate for the role.