Chelsea have learned whether or not Jose Mourinho would be interested in managing them for a third time, according to reports.
Jose Mourinho made his name primarily with Porto before joining Chelsea in 2004. Infamously declaring himself a “Special One”, he led his new club to the Premier League title at the first time of asking – and backed it up the next season too.
Shortly into his fourth season, Mourinho surprisingly left Chelsea. He had led them to six major honours up to that point.
But after spells with Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Mourinho returned to Chelsea for a second spell in 2013. He lasted two-and-a-half years back at Stamford Bridge, adding another Premier League title and League Cup to the cabinet.
Spells with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Roma have followed. Although he is still in work with the latter, Mourinho has regularly been the subject of speculation about a return to the Premier League.
There have been a few suggestions of where he could go next after Roma. His contract in the Italian capital is due to last until the end of next season.
Now, the prospect of Mourinho undertaking a third stint with Chelsea is being examined. Coincidentally, the Blues' current manager, Graham Potter, has been under some pressure despite only taking the job earlier this season.
It is not clear how soon a change might come, but Mourinho might be someone Chelsea think about if they do need to find a more proven manager at the top level.
And according to journalist Simon Phillips, there is truth in recent claims from the Daily Mail that Mourinho would welcome another chance to manage Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho would 'want' another Chelsea chance
Phillips told Give Me Sport: “It's true. I heard this months ago and I actually reported it on my site because I was told that Mourinho approached some of the potential Chelsea buyers when the club was first up for sale through Jorge Mendes, obviously, the agent who has good connections with Mourinho and Chelsea.
“He said, 'I want to come back to the club, if you're thinking about a new manager, I want to come back for a third spell', so Mourinho is keen to come back to Chelsea, that's 100% true.”
Potter should be under contract with Chelsea until 2027. However, with all the money the club have invested in new signings, he will need to lift them higher up the table to feel safer in his job.
Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League after 21 games this season, 10 points off the top four. Mourinho, meanwhile, has manoeuvred Roma into third place in Serie A at the same stage of their season.
It would certainly be dramatic to see him back in English football at some stage. Of course, Chelsea would seem to be a suitable destination for the Portuguese tactician due to his connection with the club.
Whether he would be as successful going back there is another matter. But Mourinho always has a point to prove, so it would be interesting to see how he would get on.
Perhaps Potter will be looking over his shoulder just in case. Right now, Chelsea's results need to become more consistent.