We look at some possible destinations...

BARCELONA

After losing the La Liga crown last season, Joan Laporta opted to stick by Frank Rijkaard but his position is far from secure. Mourinho's history with Barca - he was Bobby Robson's translator but had a distinctly frosty relationship with them as Chelsea boss - could make the Nou Camp an unlikely destination.

VALENCIA

Mourinho will surely want to remain within Europe's top three leagues. At the moment the least secure manager of a big club is Quique Sanchez Flores at Valencia. The Spanish side have solid foundations and a good squad but political complications to match those at Stamford Bridge.

PORTUGAL

Luiz Felipe Scolari had looked untouchable as Portugal boss but like England, they have laboured in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. The Portuguese FA could take drastic action if Mourinho indicates he is interested in taking the job.

ENGLAND

Surely not? Well, stranger things have happened. Mourinho can afford to bide his time until a top job becomes available. Steve McClaren's position is much safer after recent results but qualification for next summer is far from assured.

PORTO

The club where he made his name by guiding them to the top of the Portuguese pile and winning the UEFA Cup and Champions League. Upon lifting the European Cup, though, he seemingly began searching for a new job immediately. Jesualdo Ferreira helped the club recover from the post-Mourinho slump but surely they would jump at the chance to take 'The Special One' back if they could?

INTER MILAN

Roberto Mancini held onto his job a year ago and has flourished since then - though the match-fixing scandal which decimated AC Milan and Juventus played a big part. He must seriously challenge for the Champions League this year but last night's defeat by Fenerbahce represented an awful start.

JUVENTUS

Perhaps it does Claudio Ranieri a disservice to suggest he may be the first major managerial casualty in Serie A. But Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan, Roberto Mancini at Inter and Luciano Spalletti at Roma are all nicely settled while Ranieri has a difficult task to turn Juve into immediate challengers in their first season back in Serie A. The Old Lady have the kind of stature Mourinho will surely be looking for.