Portugal: Too early to say – Jose Mourinho on Cristiano Ronaldo becoming manager after retirement

Mourinho spoke to journalists at Valdebebas on Friday, a day after Ronaldo introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer, bringing his 23-yr spell with Portugal to an finish.

The Real Madrid manager stated he revered the choice made by his former ahead, noting that Ronaldo nonetheless has ambitions to obtain at membership degree with Saudi Arabian facet Al-Nassr.

However, Mourinho expressed his want that the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner would have loved a unique sort of farewell as a footballer.

Speaking about Ronaldo’s announcement, Mourinho advised reporters:

“His decision must be respected, and I respect it. He hasn’t finished his career; those who know him know he still has goals for his career, and the only thing I would like is for his retirement as a player to be different from yesterday’s.”

“As for whether I see him as a coach, I don’t know what to say. It’s still too early.”

Ronaldo, in the meantime, has beforehand expressed little curiosity in becoming a manager after retiring from skilled soccer.

Following the announcement of his contract extension with Al-Nassr, the Portuguese captain dismissed the opportunity of taking over a training function, though he admitted that his place might change sooner or later.

“Being a coach? Right now, I can say I will never be one, although ‘never’ is a strong word. The reality is that it’s not in my plans in five, 10, or even 20 years,” Ronaldo stated.

The 41-yr-previous introduced on Thursday that he was ending his worldwide profession, having made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored a document 146 targets.

During his outstanding time with the nationwide staff, Ronaldo gained the 2016 European Championship and three UEFA Nations League titles.

His announcement got here amid experiences of pressure between him and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo had reportedly left the nationwide staff camp with out permission after being excluded from a Nations League fixture, main to a 30-day suspension imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.