Arsenal are distancing themselves from a possible move for Jose Mourinho, with Unai Emery still having the support of the club’s hierarchy, sources have told ESPN FC.
Mourinho would be keen to speak to Arsenal should Emery be sacked this season, sources have told ESPN FC, but a move for the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss appears some way off at present.
It was claimed that Mourinho met Raul Sanllehi, Arsenal’s head of football, for dinner recently but sources have told ESPN FC that no such meeting took place. The two men have not seen each other for some time.
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The chance to win trophies with three Premier League clubs would appeal to Mourinho, who won three titles with Chelsea, but he would need assurances that the conditions were suitable to allow a serious challenge at silverware.
Arsenal have lost two games this season but there are still 27 Premier League games to play in which the team’s fortunes can improve.
After a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves on Saturday, Emery’s men slipped six points off the top four.
“I’m more demanding of myself and feel a responsibility to work and come back better,” Emery said after the match.
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The Arsenal coach’s contract expires at the end of the season, although there is an additional one-year option.
When asked whether he was concerned about his future in the wake of three draws in a week, Emery replied: “We speak about how we can improve and how to achieve the best performance.”
Mourinho, out of work since being sacked by Manchester United last December, is not considered the top choice when the time comes to appoint a new manager.
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Arsenal beat Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa League on Oct. 24 and Mourinho attended the match at the Emirates but he was not personally invited by the London club.
Source:Â ESPN