Paris Saint-Germain’s plan to change managers this summer comes as no surprise. Given the club’s massive financial investments in recent years, expectations have soared—especially in European competition. However, despite landing star players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, current head coach Unai Emery has failed to deliver the breakthrough results the club’s ownership craves, particularly in the UEFA Champions League.

Although speculation about a coaching change has been swirling for months, recent reports suggest that PSG has now made José Mourinho their number one target for the role. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Ligue 1 giants are preparing to launch an ambitious bid to lure the Portuguese tactician to Paris.

That said, prying Mourinho away from Manchester United will be no easy feat. The former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss only signed a contract extension in January, keeping him at Old Trafford through 2020, with an option for an additional year. While United’s current season hasn’t lived up to the club’s lofty standards, the board reportedly still backs Mourinho and sees him as central to the club’s long-term vision.

Still, PSG’s interest is far from new. Back in 2016, when the club parted ways with Laurent Blanc, Mourinho was strongly linked to the job before ultimately choosing Manchester United. At the time, PSG appointed Unai Emery instead, banking on his Europa League success with Sevilla. But under Emery’s leadership, PSG has struggled to make a meaningful impact in Europe—a key benchmark for the club’s Qatari owners.

Now, as another disappointing Champions League campaign fades into memory, the pressure is mounting. PSG’s desire to move beyond domestic dominance and become a true continental powerhouse has reignited their pursuit of a manager with elite-level pedigree. Mourinho, with his wealth of experience and trophy-laden résumé, ticks every box.

Although other names have been floated—such as Chelsea’s Antonio Conte, former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, and even Carlo Ancelotti—none seem to have the allure or authority that Mourinho commands. For PSG, who are desperate to stop coming up short on the European stage, the “Special One” remains the dream appointment.

In the world of football, nothing is set in stone until the ink is dry. But if PSG’s determination holds, the summer coaching carousel could get very interesting—and Mourinho might find himself at the center of it once again. After all, in football as in life, where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.