The legendary football manager Jose Mourinho is in negotiations with Amazon regarding the possibility of joining their live Champions League coverage for the upcoming season. Amazon recently acquired the live rights for 17 Champions League games over the next three years, granting them the first choice match each round. They are eyeing Mourinho to be part of a revamped punditry team for their coverage.
Mourinho seems to be open to Amazon’s initial proposal, but his final decision may depend on whether he secures another managerial position before the season begins. Since his departure from Roma in January, Mourinho has not received any serious job offers aside from those from Saudi Pro League clubs.
The deal with Amazon grants them the privilege of selecting all the Tuesday night matches in the new Champions League format starting in September, as well as the Saturday evening final. Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal are expected to be the most frequently aired clubs, with first-time qualifiers Aston Villa also likely to be featured.
On the other hand, TNT Sports has secured the rights to broadcast the remaining 187 Champions League games. They previously held exclusive UK rights since 2015. Amazon has been airing 20 Premier League games each season since 2019, featuring pundits like Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, and Michael Owen. However, their current contract expires at the end of the upcoming season and has not been renewed.
Having Mourinho on board would add prestige and credibility to Amazon’s coverage, considering his previous success in the Champions League. He has won the competition twice, with FC Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010. The coverage is expected to be fronted by Gabby Logan, who has experience presenting Amazon’s Premier League matches. If Mourinho decides to join Amazon for their live Champions League coverage this coming season, it will surely add more excitement and value to their already impressive lineup of events.
In conclusion, Jose Mourinho’s addition to Amazon’s punditry team for their upcoming live Champions League coverage could add a lot of value to their programming lineup. With his successful track record as a manager and analyst on TV shows like Sky Sports’ “Revolution,” adding him could only enhance their reputation as one of Europe’s leading streaming platforms.
As negotiations continue between Mourinho and Amazon representatives about his involvement on this exciting project that will surely attract millions of viewers worldwide.
