Rumours swirl over one last Premier League comeback for Jose Mourinho?

Even great managers have a shelf life and after 25 trophy lifts in a career that redefined the blueprint of the path that needs to be taken to reach the top of the game, Mourinho was cast as yesterday’s man.

Links with moves to Saudi Arabia and America’s MLS summed up the position this once all-conquering tactician now held in a game that was ready to move on without him. The coach’s days as a serial winner appeared to be over.

Image was everything to Mourinho when he was in his pomp. This brash, bullish champion, who liked to tell anyone who would listen that he was special, backed up his boasts with success on the field.

Yet when his miserable final season at Real Madrid was followed up by sackings at Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, Mourinho’s aura was shattered.

There was a time when everything this charismatic tactician touched turned to gold. But a modern era of players who refused to accept his demanding approach to discipline meant the pillars he needed to put in place to succeed no longer had any foundations.

Stand-offs with high-profile players such as Paul Pogba enhanced the theory that Mourinho’s methods no longer worked at the top of the game, but this 61-year-old was not ready to accept he was finished.

While his great rival Pep Guardiola continued to enjoy the kind of relentless success Mourinho used to specialise in, Italy was a safe haven for Jose to return to. As he looked to rebuild his tarnished image, he took over as Roma boss.

As he led the club to their first major trophy in 14 years and their maiden European title in the 2022 Uefa Conference League, a flashback to Mourinho’s glory days came with a perception that his goals had also changed.

The tears this legendary coach shed as he lifted the third most significant trophy in European club competition led many to suspect that he was now content to chase success in the second tier of the sport, with the big prizes merely echoes of his past.

Yet Mourinho has never lost faith in his ability and after his exit from Roma in January, rumours surfaced that he was eager to make a return to United.

These prominent stories raised a few eyebrows as the manner of Mourinho’s fractious exit at United ensured there was no appetite for his return. This was a story straight from a well-used copybook.

‘Sources close to Mourinho’ have been a constant companion throughout his career and when a positive story needs to be planted, these figures emerge from the shadows.

While a return to Old Trafford is unthinkable, even if Erik ten Hag is shown the door this summer, the prospect of a comeback in English football is very much on Mourinho’s mind and he is being strongly linked with a move to Newcastle.

His meeting with Saudi Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan at last weekend’s Formula 1 Grand Prix in Riyadh certainly set tongues wagging.

Al-Rumayyan is closely connected to Newcastle’s ownership structure, with Mourinho’s star quality the kind of currency the cash-rich state is keen to buy into.

Mourinho was ringside for Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight demolition of Francis Ngannou and his star quality and superstar status may well fit what the Saudi’s look to do next with their Premier League investment.

Eddie Howe’s calm, assured presence at Newcastle was just what was needed for phase one of the Saudi takeover, but the English tactician has been stuck in reverse for most of this season and that will not be tolerated by owners who demand instant success.

Many will question whether Mourinho could give them what they need at this stage of his career, but the one man who will tell them what they want to hear is the manager they may well be considering hiring.

He will feel he has unfinished business in English football and in a summer when Jurgen Klopp leaves the Premier League, the return of Mourinho is a story that would give Newcastle’s Saudi owners the lift in profile they crave.

Mourinho’s success was built around spending big in the transfer market and offering quick-fire returns on that investment.

If the next phase of the Newcastle story involves ending the club’s enduring wait for silverware, their Saudi owners may believe one of the modern game’s ultimate winners should be their next big signing.