Mourinho could have managed the Italian national team, it is known who prevented him

Jose Mourinho was a real candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italian national team, reports La Repubblica.

According to the source, adidas, which is the technical sponsor of the Italian team, was ready to cover part of the Portuguese's salary.

However, the Italian Football Federation faced two major obstacles. First, Fenerbahçe did not want to let go of their coach without financial compensation, and national team coach Gianluigi Buffon was against Mourinho's possible appointment, believing that the team needed not only an Italian, but also someone who had played for the national team. As a result, Gennaro Gattuso was appointed head coach of the Italian national team.