It was the rumour that set Celtic fans’ pulses racing.
Jose Mourinho had reportedly been approached by the Scottish champions to become their next manager.
The story had been written by respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and he has credence.
But when Record Sport contacted highly-placed Celtic sources on Sunday afternoon, it was shot down.
There had been no approach, no offer for the former Manchester United manager.
Now more detail has emerged on the story that would have been sensational had it actually been true.
The Scottish Daily Mail have revealed why the club’s hierarchy feel it came out in the first place.
According to them, "senior Parkhead figures believe Mourinho’s camp are trying to smoke out potential employers".
That is, his representatives including Jorge Mendes are attempting to spark interest in the 56-year-old from other clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 giants could be ready to sack Thomas Tuchel following a mixed season that saw PSG crash out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage as well as lose the French Cup Final.
Neil Lennon remains odds-on favourite to be named next permanent Celtic manager, with Record Sport understanding it’s his to lose.
Mourinho, meanwhile, is next on the bookies’ list at 2-1.
The Daily Mail also report Lennon held talks with Dermot Desmond on Saturday but there are no plans to conduct formal discussions with the majority shareholder or chief executive Peter Lawwell.
