Mourinho can still do it at 'top level' and will be linked to PL, Joe Cole says

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole insists his former manager Jose Mourinho can still operate 'at the very top level'.

The Portuguese manager was sacked from his position as Roma boss on Tuesday, with the club languishing in ninth place in Serie A, having won just one of their last five league matches, while also being dumped out of the Italian Cup to rivals Lazio last week.

His final match came as his side were beaten 3-1 by AC Milan on Sunday, with Mourinho had to watch from the stands.

Despite that, Cole has lauded his former manager, claiming that Mourinho helped to steady things at Man United and praised him for winning titles with Roma.

'Well, Jose Mourinho is a top, top manager,' the 42-year-old told Mail Sport when asked whether he would take Mourinho back at Chelsea.

'It was an incredible job what he's done at Man United. Seeing how much disarray has been behind the scenes at the club over the past 15 years and to finish second and to win trophies like he did was an incredible job.'

Mourinho was appointed as United boss in 2016, taking the reins from Louis van Gaal.

The Portuguese manager would go on to guide United to a second-place finish and win the Europa League in the 2016-17 season.

After leaving United in 2018 he'd enjoy a spell at Tottenham, before joining Roma in July 2021.

'I don't know what has happened at Roma but he's had success there. Two cup finals. Won a European trophy. Won the Conference League with Roma. So, I don't know why the end's come over there,' Cole added.

'One thing is for sure is that any club in the Premier League that changes their manager over the next six months, if he's out of a job, his name will be mentioned. But he's capable of doing it at the very top level.'

Mourinho lead Roma to