Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim has suggested he would welcome a return to Portugal despite finally finding his feet in the principality.
Having left Sporting to take over from Claudio Ranieri in the summer, Jardim initially struggled with last season's Ligue 1 runners-up, who were left reeling from the summer departures of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez.
The Portuguese coach has since guided his team into a Champions League last-16 tie with Arsenal as group winners, and steered his side into fifth place in the French top flight.
Jardim, who signed a two-year deal at the Stade Louis II, told Record he will return to the country where he established his reputation in the dug-out at clubs such as Braga and Sporting.
"It's certain I will go back one day," he said. "The ambition will always be to take charge of an elite club that will challenge for the title, but it's difficult to say when.
"I have a lot of respect for Sporting, but I could also take charge of another big team."
Jardim would significantly raise his profile and boost his chances of getting a bigger job should he mastermind the downfall of Arsenal in the clubs' two-legged knockout tie early next year.
The encounter will see Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger return to the club where he won the Ligue 1 title as a fledgling tactician in 1988.
Former Monaco and Arsenal midfielder Gilles Grimandi, who now scouts for Wenger, told L'Equipe the Arsenal manager was looking forward to the opportunity to face his former club.
"Arsene was happy, I think," the 44-year-old, whose first three years in the principality overlapped with Wenger's time in charge, said. "We never talk about draws, but this time he told me, 'So, we're going to Monaco...'
"It's a pleasure for him and for me, even though there aren't many people left there from our time.
"It's a great story to return to Monaco. In recent years, we have had difficult draws with Barca and Bayern. It's an opportunity for us, but Monaco are a difficult team to play, a side that has found its style and likes defending."