Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez refuses to bite after Mourinho weight jibe

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has said he will “only speak about football” after Jose Mourinho’s criticism of him and his wife.

Chelsea boss Mourinho had hit back with a remarkable jibe about his rival manager’s weight after Mrs Benitez, Montserrat Seara, suggested she and her husband were going around “tidyig up the mess” left by the Portuguese at Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Speaking after the Blues’ pre-season friendly victory over Barcelona in Washington, Mourinho pointedly told Mrs Benitez she should concentrate on the Spaniard’s diet.

He also claimed Benitez “destroyed” his treble-winning Inter Milan side in 2010, while pointing out the former Liverpool boss had not directly succeeded him at Chelsea or Real Madrid.

“The lady is a bit confused,” Mourinho said.

“Her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

“The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time.

“For her also to think about me and to speak about me, I think she needs to occupy her time, and if she takes care of her husband’s diet she will have less time to speak about me.”

In a press conference last night, ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with AC Milan, Benitez said: “I’m coach of Real Madrid. I like football. I understand football, so for this, I only speak about football.”

Benitez’s move to Real Madrid this summer was the third time he had joined a club previously managed by the Chelsea boss.

The relationship between the managers has been tense following a series of fall-outs during Mourinho’s first spell in charge of Chelsea, when Benitez was at Anfield.

Meanwhile Chelsea target John Stones is not for sale, his club Everton have reiterated.

The Toffees remain steadfast in their determination to reject Chelsea’s advances for Stones.

The Stamford Bridge club have had an improved bid in the region of £26 million (€36m) for the young England international turned down after previously failing almost a fortnight ago with an offer of £20m.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez criticised Chelsea for their handling of the situation but it is believed Blues boss Jose Mourinho remains confident of acquiring his target and another significantly larger bid is expected to be lodged.

Everton are also adamant Ireland midfielder James McCarthy is not for sale as speculation linking him with Tottenham increases.

McCarthy still has three years remaining on his contract and enjoys a close relationship with Martinez, who made it his priority to bring the Republic of Ireland international with him when he moved from Wigan two years ago.