Mourinho and Leicester City’s Claudio Ranieri were announced on Wednesday as the managers for Soccer Aid, a match which raises money for Unicef to be played at Old Trafford on June 5.
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho will take charge of the England team while Ranieri will be in charge of the Rest of the World side.
Mourinho has been linked with several jobs since being sacked from a second stint at Chelsea in December.
Speculation is rife that he will replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, while UK media reported on Tuesday that he has been approached by French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But before he starts any new job, he will lead a team of English celebrities and football legends, with Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce and singer Robbie Williams, co-founder of the event, as assistants.
“I want to be the first one to win the Soccer Aid trophy for both teams,’’ said Mourinho, who guided the Rest of the World team to victory in 2014.
“Sam and I will make a very good partnership and it will be a great feeling for Claudio to finally lose a match.
“I hope the organisers can help me now with an English passport.’’
Mourinho turned down the England job in 2007 but could be a candidate again if Roy Hodgson flops at Euro 2016.
Ranieri meanwhile has Leicester on the cusp of an improbable Premier League title.
The Foxes started the season as 5,000-1 shots after escaping relegation last season and now top the table by five points with four games left.
“Soccer Aid is a fantastic event, raising money for an amazing children’s charity in Unicef,’’ Ranieri said.
“For Soccer Aid’s 10th anniversary, it is a great honour that Robbie Williams has asked me to manage the Rest of the World XI and I’m looking forward to helping them defend their title.’’
Soccer Aid, which is played every two years, has raised 17 million pounds (24 million dollars) for Unicef since the first match in 2006. (dpa/NAN)
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