Newcastle United's continued struggles have seen rumours swirling regarding Eddie Howe's future.
While the former Bournemouth boss has been excellent when not burdened with European football, he has struggled to balance domestic and European commitments, and it may be that Newcastle are looking for a new head coach in the summer.
Andoni Iraola has been linked with the job, while Jose Mourinho is also prominent in the betting. Mourinho is currently employed by Benfica, but has always spoken highly of Newcastle, and in particularly his connection to the club via Sir Bobby Robson.
Robson managed Newcastle between 1999 and 2004, and employed Mourinho as his interpreter when moving to Sporting CP in 1992. Mourinho followed Robson to Porto in 1994 and Barcelona in 1996,
In 2009, after Sir Bobby Robson's death
Then-Inter manager, Mourinho paid tribute to his old boss, saying: "It was difficult because I didn't want to think that he was coming to the end. That wasn't the image of Bobby Robson that I wanted to always carry around with me.
"That wasn't the voice that I wanted to hear. I wanted to, and I always will, hold with me the Bobby Robson of every day, a man of extraordinary passion for life and for football, and with extraordinary enthusiasm.
"Bobby Robson is one of those people who never dies, not because of what he did during his career, because of one more victory or one less, but for everything he transmitted to those who, like me, had the good fortune to know him and be by his side.
"My thoughts are with all those dear to him."
In 2019, on Sir Bobby Robson
Speaking 10 years after his death, Mourinho said: "I have so much to thank him for. I have to thank him for making me a better man, I have to thank him for helping me to get into top level football, the experience he gave me and I have to thank him for trusting me the way that he did, in Portugal and in Spain.
"He was a happy man and that is such an important thing for a leader. That was the real impact he had on me. He was strong, too, and balanced in victory or a bad defeat. I always remember him saying to me: "Jose, don’t be so sad after a defeat, think about the other team’s happiness and be happy for them.
"He was just a top man. At Barcelona, I was a young dad and my family was alone, outside of our home city, our home country and away from our families. Mister Robson and Lady Elsie, they were like family to us. That is the word I always think of when I think of him - family.
"He was the kindest and funniest man. Ten years after he passed away, I sometimes cry tears for him, but I always prefer to tell stories about him and smile."
In 2021, when linked with Newcastle job
Mourinho has, of course, been linked with the Newcastle job previously. In 2021, when in charge of Roma, Mourinho was touted with a move to St James' Park to replace Steve Bruce, but dismissed the rumours.
Mourinho said: "On Newcastle, I don't have anything to say. Absolutely nothing to say. The only thing I can say is that for many, many years, I worked with one of the most important figures in the history of Newcastle, Sir Bobby Robson, and so because of that, I have always had a bit of an emotional connection with that city and that fanbase. But it's nothing more than that."
In 2024, on playing at St James' Park
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's Five podcast, Mourinho spoke of the difficulty of playing at St James' Park: "There was no rivalry with [Alan] Pardew or with [Sam] Allardyce or anyone there. I just knew that going to play St James' was really, really hard.
"I didn’t enjoy to play in Newcastle because I never win. Every time I went to Newcastle it was lose or draw, lose or draw. I think I won there once probably with Chelsea, with Man United or Tottenham. Out of 10 I would win once or twice."
In 2025, before facing Newcastle with Benfica
Upon his return to Benfica in 2025, Mourinho said: "I felt something special [at Newcastle] even before Mr. Robson passed away. I worked with Mr Robson for six years and I don't think there was a single day he didn't show his passion for Newcastle, the city, the region, the football club, and the pride and the passion he spoke about it.
"I've never hidden about how much affection and how dear Newcastle is to me because of the influence of a legendary person at the club.
"At this stadium, people don't come here to watch the game, they come to play alongside the team. This city has a totally different culture to London, and clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal. I love coming here to play here, I said to my players yesterday that it's beautiful.
"It's an extraordinary atmosphere in this stadium and this city.
"Sir Bobby is a legend here and in England when you are a legend there's many reason to be a legend. He would be so happy with that victory in the cup and I was happy. I know the Geordies want more than the League Cup but the League Cup is a beginning. To play in the UEFA Champions League is another step."
