Jose Mourinho watches Brighton vs Middlesbrough as former Chelsea manager sports new shaved haircut

Mourinho has promised not to attend any 'high-profile games' in order to avoid speculation over his next job but turned out for the top-of-the-table clash in the Championship

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 19 December 2015 13:50 GMT
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Jose Mourinho sits in the stands at Brighton's Amex Stadium
Jose Mourinho sits in the stands at Brighton's Amex Stadium

Jose Mourinho has vowed not to go to any “high-profile games” in order to avoid triggering any speculation over his next job, so we can safely rule out him taking over at either Brighton or Middlesbrough after he appeared in the stands at the American Express Community Stadium for the clash between the top two in the Championship.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea on Thursday after seeing his side suffer a ninth defeat of the Premier League season on Monday in the 2-1 loss at Leicester. The decision was taken to replace Mourinho, with former Blues manager Guus Hiddink in talks to take over until the end of the season, and the sacking immediately triggered discussion of where the Portuguese's next job will be.

The Independent revealed on Friday night that he remains determined to be named the next Manchester United manager once Louis van Gaal leaves his role, be it this season or when his contract expires in 2017, and the agency responsible for Mourinho released a statement on Saturday to confirm he will not take a sabbatical and is already looking for his next job.

But the sight of Mourinho, with a freshly shaven head, in the stands at Brighton proved too much for fans. With barely 45 hours on the clock since being dismissed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho was already at a football match to fulfil the statement’s promise of attending games due to his “love of football”.

The statement read: "Because of his love of football, you will see Jose at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future.”

5 games that cost Mourinho his job

While neither Brighton nor Boro are expected to feature on Mourinho’s shortlist of potential destinations, both Chris Hughton and Aitor Karanka will be pleased to see Mourinho in the stands to prove he’s not after their jobs.

Mourinho is good friends with Karanka after they worked together at Real Madrid, with the 42-year-old Boro manager acting as Mourinho’s assistant at the Santiago Bernabeu before taking up the permanent job with Middlesbrough.

With the match taking place on the south coast, Mourinho clearly felt a day trip was in order, and his statement earlier in the day confirmed he will remain at his London residence as he seeks his next venture.

"Jose will remain living in London and hopes he and his family will be given the opportunity to do this privately,” the statement added.

"Jose will not speak about his current situation for the foreseeable future. He asks the media to respect this decision.

“Jose is pleased that he returned to Chelsea Football Club because he was able to give the fans another Premier League title, which they had not won for many years. He is immensely proud of his eight trophies at Chelsea, and thanks the fans for all their support throughout his two spells at the club.

"During his career, Jose has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave.

"Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. Jose hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007.

"He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn't tired, he doesn't need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward.”

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