Jose Mourinho’s name popped up almost immediately following Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini’s decision to step down at the end of the season. Mancini’s announcement came in the wake of Inter’s ousting from the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool last night.
Mourinho’s personal adviser Eladio Parames played down the link, saying that the former Chelsea boss had not been contacted by the Italian champion. “As far as I am aware, he has not spoken to the Inter president [Massimo Moratti]. Definitely, he will be managing a top-flight club in Europe next season. I cannot tell you which club it will be, but he will be back, for sure.” Mourinho wants to coach in either Spain or Italy, but Parames said a return to the English Premiership was still a possibility — although he added that Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal were unlikely to sack their managers anytime soon.
Parames said no other job offers had come in for Mourinho. Following Jose Antonio Camacho’s resignation, the 45-year-old had been linked to Portuguese giant Benfica, but Parames again said there had been no contact between the parties. “Quite often Jose says to me: ‘Everyone links my name to the clubs in trouble, but the truth is that I remain without job and I’m getting used to the speculation,'” Parames said.