Jose Mourinho confirms plans to manage in the Saudi Pro League, but plays down a possible return to Real Madrid after his contract expires at Roma this summer

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he plans to manage in the Saudi Pro League and played down a possible return to Real Madrid.

Roma coach Jose Mourinho said he fully expects to work in Saudi Arabia one day after his compatriot, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, led the way by joining Al-Nasr, with a stream of players subsequently signing for Saudi Pro League teams.

The Portuguese coach seemed confident about moving to Saudi Arabia during an interview MBC Egypt TV channel, owned by Saudi MBC Group, saying: '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.'

'I am committed to my work with Roma and I want to give everything to the club until the last day,' added under-pressure Mourinho after a disappointing start to the season.

'No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this (working in Saudi Arabia),' he said.

Mourinho, 60, said recently that he had rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia in order to stay in Roma for a third season after leading the team to win the Conference League and reach the UEFA Europa League final

The 60-year-old is expected to leave Roma when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Asked about a potential return to Real Madrid given that Carlo Ancelotti is also in the midst of contract uncertainty, Mourinho responded: 'Me at Real Madrid? When you have a super coach, why should you think of another?...I hope that the season goes fantastically and that next season Carlo is still there because I think he is the perfect coach for Real Madrid.' 

Mourinho spent three years with Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. He won the La Liga title during his time at the Bernabeu.