Insider: Jose Mourinho 'wants to return to London' as West Ham move on cards
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(Credit: Getty Images, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 11 September 2025 17:00, UK
Jose Mourinho has opened the door to a return to London west West Ham among the potential suitors, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the former Chelsea boss “loves” living in London and still has a house there.
Mourinho was linked with the West Ham job after Julen Lopetegui was sacked last year, and is still in contention for the role at the London Stadium.
Graham Potter, meanwhile, remains under growing pressure as large sections of the Hammers’ fanbase have lost faith in his management after seven months in charge.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in November that Mourinho is advertising his availability, having also been linked with Newcastle, Rangers and Leeds.
Credit: Imago
Brown told Football Insider on 28 August that Mourinho had one eye on the Nottingham Forest job, before Ange Postecoglou was selected to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience working closely alongside elite-level managers including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson at Man United, insisted that the legendary boss is now targeting a return to London.
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“Jose Mourinho will want the West Ham job,” he told Football Insider.
“He wants to return to London, I know he’s still got a house there and he loves living in the city, so if a job comes up that will allow him to move back, of course he’ll be interested.
“Looking at the London clubs, he doesn’t exactly have a million options.
West Ham, yeah, possibly.
I think West Ham are the standout club on that list and it’s something that might come up.
“I don’t believe Potter will be sacked right now, but they’ve got to be prepared and have possible candidates lined up to replace him if they do make that decision.
Credit: Imago
“I have to say, that 3-0 win against Forest was something I didn’t see coming, so that will have bought him a bit more time.
But like I say, West Ham will be aware that at some stage, they might have to look for a new manager if things go back to the way they started the season.
“There will be a few candidates for that job, I’m sure, and Mourinho will want to be among them.”
Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce last month, but could seek an immediate return to football with a surprise return to the Premier League.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 August that West Ham are exploring alternatives to Potter as they pave the way for his potential dismissal.
After a slow start to the season with a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland followed by a 5-1 thrashing at home to Chelsea, the Hammers begun to consider their options.
While their impressive 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest is believed to have eased the tension, there is still a feeling he could be the next boss to face the sack.
Brown told Football Insider on 6 September that Potter is still fighting for his job and has to put together a run of results to improve his reputation at the club.
Meanwhile, Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has also been linked with the West Ham job, with the club assessing a number of options for the role.
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