Roberto Martinez is now anticipated to step down from his role with Portugal when his current deal expires, with Jose Mourinho being positioned as his successor in what would be a headline-grabbing appointment.
Such a development could open the door for Martinez to enter the frame as the next long-term manager of Celtic.
The Spaniard is currently the bookmakers’ frontrunner to take over permanently at Parkhead, and he shares a well-established connection with current assistant Shaun Maloney.
Martinez is aiming to bow out with World Cup success in North America, but it is widely believed that the tournament will mark the end of his tenure regardless of the outcome in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 52-year-old previously managed Maloney at Wigan before later bringing him into his backroom staff with Belgium, where Maloney ultimately rose to become the Red Devils’ assistant coach.
Mourinho has never concealed his ambition to manage his national side, and it now seems he could be handed that opportunity – according to ESPN – in a post-Cristiano Ronaldo era, should the 41-year-old finally call time on his international career.
That scenario would pave the way for the Special One to oversee a four-year project culminating in a World Cup staged on home territory, with Portugal co-hosting alongside Spain and Morocco.
Martinez also sparked fresh speculation when he attended former club Motherwell’s commanding 2-0 victory over the Premiership title holders in December – a defeat that intensified pressure on the struggling Wilfried Nancy before he was eventually dismissed following a loss to Rangers.
The ex-Everton manager’s wife is Scottish, and his name has frequently been linked with a potential move to Celtic on several occasions over the past decade.