Jose Mourinho prediction made by Joe Cole amid Leeds United speculation

Joe Cole is confident Jose Mourinho will return to the Premier League amid speculation linking him with a move to Leeds United.

Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, Leeds confirmed their return to the Premier League last weekend.

The German’s Premier League record, however, is said to be a concern to the Yorkshire club’s board.

Farke’s previous spells in the Premier League with Norwich ended in disappointment and Leeds are understood to be making contingency plans.

Mourinho is currently managing in Turkey at Fenerbahce but has endured a difficult season during which he has been involved in a number of controversial incidents.

Cole, who thrived under the Special One’s tutelage during his first spell at Chelsea, waxed lyrical about his former manager as the 20th anniversary of the Blues’ 2005 title-winning campaign looms.

‘I still think that man Jose Mourinho has a lot to give European football and I would love to see him back in the Premier League because he’s box office,’ Cole told TNT Sport.

‘It was always a player and manager relationship. He looked at me and thought there was more, he would always squeeze more out of me and I thank him for that.

‘I played some of my best football under him and all the big games he picked me from the start which showed trust in me.

‘I think he’s a genius as a manager and I really do hope we see him in the Premier League against because he’s still got it and I’d love to see him on these shores.

‘I think we will 100% see him, he loves England and London. The story is there. Whatever club he comes in will get a real bounce initially.

‘I don’t think he’s going to stay anywhere for five years. But three or four years, if you want to win something he’s your’ man.’

I still think that man Jose Mourinho has a lot to give European football and I would love to see him back in the Premier League because he’s box office.

Farke, meanwhile, has not been surprised by reports this week that the club are considering sacking him despite securing Premier League promotion.

Leeds have not commented, while a section of their fans have also questioned Farke’s credentials and speculation over his future has mounted.

When asked if he felt disrespected by the reports, Farke said: ‘Not at all, it’s not surprising.

‘I knew for which club I signed, I’m not sure how many managers Leeds United had in the last 20 years, but it’s a good effort if you last for three months at this club.

‘Once you sign a contract you know there’s lots of pressure, noise, expectations. On a weekly basis someone is linked by following you in these footsteps. It’s nothing new or what I wouldn’t expect.

‘This club is so emotional and so big, journalists who were never here and have never spoken to one person in the club, of course they want to report some news. If you want some clicks, you sometimes need shock news.’

What Is Daniel Farke’s Premier League record?

Farke’s critics have reservations because of his record in the Premier League with Norwich.

They won promotion in 2019, but were relegated straight back down and after an immediate return the following season, Farke was sacked in November 2021 with the Canaries bottom after winning only one of their first 11 games.

Leeds (and Burnley) are on course for 100 points – only six teams have achieved that previously in the Championship – and only once in a single season (1927-28) have they scored more than their 89 goals.

Farke said he had met with club chairman Paraag Marathe on Thursday evening to discuss the immediate future.

The 48-year-old German added: ‘We’ve got a really trustful and really good relationship.

‘I last talked with Paraag last evening, already speaking about a few things we want to do with the future.

‘For no other club than Leeds would I have taken on the (Championship) challenge again but I know what potential this club has and want to achieve what no one has really achieved in the last decades to make an established Premier League side.’