Jose Mourinho politely declines offer to coach Syria's national team

Jose Mourinho will not be heading to Western Asia.

Gestifute, a company owned by Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes, confirmed Saturday that the Special One was offered a chance to coach Syria's national team but that the Portuguese manager, reportedly on his way to Manchester United, ultimately declined the proposal.

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In an email to The Associated Press, Mourinho said, "while he felt honoured to receive the invitation, he cannot at the moment accept it."

Only two days ago, Syria's top sports official, Muwaffaq Jumaa, played down his country's poaching of Mourinho and insisted the war-torn nation isn't in a position to hire prolific managers, saying, "The circumstances don't permit for Mourinho to come here and there are not enough resources for him. I wish the national team the best of luck. But we have to adapt to the conditions we are going through."

After emerging from its group in the Asian Football Confederation's second round of 2018 World Cup qualifying, Syria is one of 12 remaining national teams competing for the four-and-a-half World Cup places afforded to the confederation. The third round will kick off in August.

Syria, whose civil war is entering a sixth year despite a partial ceasefire, has never qualified for the World Cup and has so far played all of its home matches for 2018 World Cup qualifying in Oman.