Mourinho has special plan for English return

Jose Mourinho confirmed yesterday he will renew his love affair with English football.

Ahead of Real Madrid’s mouthwatering Champions League encounter with Manchester United at the Bernabeu tonight, Mourinho restated his love for the Premier League. And he confirmed when the time comes for him to leave Madrid, it will be to renew his love affair with the English game.

“After Real Madrid, England will be my next step,” he said. “I love everything about it.”

But on the subject of when, the former Chelsea boss was coy.

“We will see,” he said.

The uncertainty stems from a contradiction between Mourinho’s utter certainty in the job he is doing at the Bernabeu, and the low regard in which he is held by the media there.

“Are you worried about my crisis?” he said. “I am not.

“It is easy for you to let this press conference end and then speak to the people who write the stories. They will tell you stories they like to write.”

Mourinho has been heavily linked with Manchester City and a return to Stamford Bridge as speculation over his future in Spain rumbled on.

It has also been felt he would be of interest to United, even though club ambassador Peter Schmeichel has said the former Porto coach is not under consideration.

Mourinho does not see himself being installed at Old Trafford either, mainly because he expects Ferguson to continue for a good while yet.

“No,” he said, when asked if he could replace the Scot.

“I don’t believe so,” he said. “I think we have to end our career at the same time. Him (Ferguson) at 90 and me at 70.”

The mischievous grin that accompanied the words underlined the playful nature of Mourinho’s character remains despite the simmering unease with which he dealt with so many questions from the Spanish press.

“’Daddy’ is smiling,” said midfielder Michael Essien, who clearly holds Mourinho in great affection, having followed him to Spain from Chelsea.

“He is always happy. I have never seen him sad.”

Nevertheless, Mourinho is under immense pressure to win this tie, which he believes “the whole world is watching”.

For, with the La Liga title on its way to Barcelona, it is hard to see Mourinho surviving much longer if he fails in land a record 10th Champions League crown for Real.

“There are great clubs in the world who have never won this competition,” he said.

“Real Madrid have won nine, I have won two. Real Madrid wants to win its 10th. I want my third. If it comes this year good. If not, I will try again next year. I don’t think I will end my career with only two titles.”

He is confident beating United is well within his Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired team’s capabilities.

“It is easy to play against big opponents and big teams,” he said.

“We are finding it harder to play against smaller opponents, against whom we have lost so many points.

“We were in a very difficult Champions League group, with Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, and we knew from day one we could be out. We had to play at top level to finish first or second.

“This is the history of our team and tonight is the biggest opponent.”