Grêmio presidential candidate Marcelo Marques wants José Mourinho as head coach if elected, having already contacted the Fenerbahçe manager’s team. The proposal could revolutionize the club if it becomes reality.
Grêmio presidential candidate Marcelo Marques has shaken up the Brazilian football scene with an audacious and headline-grabbing plan.
If elected, he intends to bring none other than José Mourinho one of the most successful and charismatic managers in the history of the sport to lead Grêmio’s first team. The bold proposal, revealed by CNN Brasil, immediately caught the attention of both the Brazilian media and the wider footballing world, sparking debates over its feasibility, implications, and potential impact on the club’s future.
According to the report, Marques a businessman with growing influence in Porto Alegre and a deep-rooted passion for Grêmio has already taken proactive steps toward making this vision a reality. He is said to have initiated contact with Mourinho’s inner circle, including representatives and advisors close to the Portuguese coach, who is currently under contract with Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. These initial conversations reportedly aimed to gauge the coach’s openness to a move to South America and to better understand the financial and logistical conditions such a deal would require.
Mourinho, known as “The Special One,” is no stranger to managing high-pressure environments, having led some of Europe’s biggest clubs including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, and AS Roma. His trophy cabinet includes two UEFA Champions League titles, league championships in four different countries, and a long list of domestic cups. Since taking charge of Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2024, Mourinho has continued to attract global attention, and the idea of him managing in Brazil is nothing short of sensational.
While there has been no official response from Mourinho or his team, the mere possibility of his arrival in Porto Alegre has electrified Grêmio supporters and stirred controversy among pundits. Some view Marques’s strategy as a calculated political move designed to generate visibility and galvanize fan support ahead of the club’s elections, which will take place between September and November 2025. Others believe that, although financially and logistically challenging, the appointment of a coach like Mourinho could mark a new era for the club one of international projection, greater professionalism, and renewed ambition on the continental stage.
Bringing in Mourinho would not only require a massive financial commitment in terms of salary and staffing demands, but also a structural adaptation by the club to accommodate the coach’s typical working model. Mourinho is known for his detailed control of training routines, media communication, and player recruitment, often bringing in a trusted staff and requesting key reinforcements in the transfer market. Any potential deal would therefore depend not just on money, but on full alignment between Mourinho’s methods and the club’s footballing philosophy and leadership structure.
For Marcelo Marques, this is part of a broader vision to modernize Grêmio, professionalize its operations, and restore the club to its former glory. Grêmio, one of Brazil’s most traditional clubs, has had a tumultuous last few years, including relegation to Série B in 2021 and subsequent promotion. Although they have shown signs of recovery and remain a powerhouse in southern Brazil, they have struggled to consistently compete with the financial might and sporting stability of rivals like Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Atlético Mineiro. Hiring a world-class manager like Mourinho could be a statement of intent, signaling that Grêmio is ready to challenge again on the national and continental fronts, including the Copa Libertadores.
Still, the road to bringing Mourinho to Brazil is steep and filled with uncertainties. His current deal with Fenerbahçe reportedly extends through 2026, and while the Turkish club would likely not want to stand in the way of a new opportunity for the coach, any negotiations would have to be handled delicately. Additionally, Mourinho himself has never worked in South America and may view such a move as a step away from the European elite unless he is intrigued by the challenge and legacy such a move could bring.
For now, the announcement serves as a bold opening salvo in Grêmio’s upcoming election race. Whether or not Mourinho ultimately lands in Porto Alegre, Marcelo Marques has ensured that his candidacy will be followed with heightened interest and scrutiny.
