Jose Mourinho has already turned down an approach from Roma to take over from troubled manager Rudi Garcia in the Italian capital, reports suggest.

The Portuguese coach, who was sacked by Chelsea on Thursday, is thought to have dined with Roma owner James Palotta in a London restaurant on Friday night when he was offered the new job.

Mourinho is said to have declined a return to Italy, however, with rumours suggesting that he is holding out for the manager's job at Manchester United with Louis van Gaal's position looking increasingly shaky.

In a statement on Saturday, Mourinho's representatives announced that he would be seeking an immediate return to management rather than taking a sabbatical and would "remain living in London".

Mourinho was later spotted in the crowd for the early Championship game between Brighton & Hove Albion and Middlesbrough.