Jose Mourinho has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to take on the role of the new manager at Al-Shabab, as per reports from Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this week, Mourinho was sacked by Roma, with the Giallorossi positioned ninth in Serie A after a disappointing beginning to the season. Throughout his tenure at Roma, Mourinho frequently discussed the possibility of managing in the Saudi Pro League, despite turning down the "biggest and craziest offer a coach has ever received" to stay at Roma.
"During the holidays, I received the biggest and craziest offer a coach has ever received in the history of football," Mourinho said back in October. "And I turned it down. I did so because I'd given my word to my players, I'd given my word to the fans and I'd given my word to the club owner."
The mentioned proposal would have allegedly seen him earning £500,000 per week to assume control at Al-Hilal, presently under the management of Jorge Jesus.
Now that Mourinho is available, the Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports that he is in line to take over at Al-Shabab.
Reportedly, Mourinho conducted a Zoom meeting with Al-Shabab's sporting director, Domenico Tite, on Thursday, reaching an agreement to become the club's new manager. It further suggests that Mourinho is 'expected to arrive' in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, pending the finalisation of the deal.
The report also claims that Mourinho intends to make significant international signings in the summer. Al-Shabab currently occupies the 11th position in the Saudi Pro League and boasts players such as former Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco and ex-Sevilla playmaker Ever Banega in their squad.
The club is currently without a manager after parting ways with ex-Liverpool star Igor Biscan last month. Mourinho has previously disclosed his anticipation of managing in Saudi Arabia one day, stating in an interview with the MBC Egypt TV channel last year: "I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there.
"I don't know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this [working in Saudi Arabia]." Mourinho is also on the board of directors of Saudi Arabia's Mahd Sports Academy.