In a sensational twist, Fenerbahçe boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly poised to take over as head coach of the Portugal national team this summer, with the driving force behind the move said to be none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to a bombshell exclusive by Turkish outlet Habertürk, Mourinho has reached a preliminary agreement with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and could be officially appointed after the UEFA Nations League finals in June.

Initially, the FPF had reportedly planned to bring Mourinho on board in 2026—after the expiration of his current contract with Fenerbahçe. However, sources claim the federation fast-tracked the deal due to growing concerns over managing the Ronaldo situation within the national setup.

Ahmet Selim Kul, General Editor of HT Spor, revealed live on air that the FPF sees Mourinho as the only manager capable of handling Ronaldo’s influence and legacy at this critical juncture. The belief in Lisbon is that only a figure with Mourinho’s stature can navigate the complexities that come with Ronaldo’s presence in the squad.

Still, there’s one sticking point: the FPF does not intend to pay a release fee to Fenerbahçe. Mourinho, for his part, is reportedly exploring the possibility of a mutual contract termination with the Turkish giants to pave the way for his national team return.

If confirmed, it would mark Mourinho’s first role as a national team manager and a dramatic new chapter in both his and Ronaldo’s illustrious careers.