Flores flags Mourinho move to UAE

Al Ahly coach Quique Sanchez Flores believes Jose Mourinho would consider coaching in the UAE.

Speculation has mounted that the Real Madrid boss could depart the Santiago Bernabeu in the near future, with Manchester United touted as one potential destination when Sir Alex Ferguson chooses to retire.

However, Flores has revealed Mourinho expressed an interest in the prospect of working in the Middle East nation when the former Chelsea coach visited the country for the seventh annual Dubai International Sports Conference.

When asked about the prospect of Mourinho moving to UAE, Flores said: “Sure, I can see it perfectly. Jose is a person who is open to the world of football. He loves the work and I’m sure he is open in the future to come here. He knows that the UAE football will grow in the next few years.

“I was having lunch with Mourinho. I was hanging out with Mourinho and (agent) Jorge Mendes. For me it was important because we were talking about football, about his troubles in Spain and how it is different in Spain.

“He was asking me about the UAE league, what the situation is here. It was all very friendly. He told me that as an alternative, the UAE is perfect. Europe is the best option, but it is an alternative because it is a nice place and the UAE have the intention to grow in the future.

“He said ‘Quique, you are very happy here, I can see it in your face.’ He was interested to know about the UAE players and the UAE stars.”