Mourinho set to make Madrid move

Jose Mourinho enjoyed the highlight of his stellar coaching career so far as he led Inter Milan to Champions League glory in Madrid – and now looks set to be based in the Spanish capital for the foreseeable future.

The Portuguese became only the third man to lead two different clubs to Europe’s top club prize as Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 on Saturday night, having first won the trophy with Porto in 2004.

However, it looks set to be his last act as Inter coach after he admitted he would hold talks with Real Madrid about becoming their boss for next season.

Inter president Massimo Moratti said yesterday he planned to hold talks with Mourinho to try to persuade him to stay, although his departure for Real now looks highly probable as Mourinho confirmed he would now speak with Real president Florentino Perez.

Moratti, who watched Mourinho lead the club to a Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble, said: “We will speak soon. Mourinho returned with the team to Milan on Saturday night.

“I don’t think he has signed for another club because he is a serious person.

“Perhaps he has spoken to a team but I hope there is still a margin to convince him to change his mind. I am nevertheless grateful for Mourinho because he has allowed us to win so much.

“Mourinho has brought professionalism and a winning mentality to the club.

“He has great merit and he is an unforgettable person.”

Moratti may also have to convince Brazilian full-back Maicon to stay, after he hinted he could join Mourinho in Madrid next season.

“Madrid is a great club and everyone wants to play for big clubs,” Maicon said.

Maicon revealed Mourinho informed the players of his imminent departure after the game, but hinted at a future meeting between the two.

“He told everyone he was leaving, so we wish him all the best,” he said.

“But he didn’t say goodbye to me.”

Bayern honorary president Franz Beckenbauer felt the German side would have won the game had France star Franck Ribery not been suspended.

Beckenbauer told Sat.1 television: “We would never have lost with Ribery.

“We missed him on every corner and at the end of everything. It would have been a different game with him.

“Without him, nobody had any courage. You have got to play differently in a final and not have so much respect – you have got to create pressure.”

Diego Milito scored a goal in each half to secure Inter’s first European Cup success for 45 years.