Benfica's Mourinho Denies Contact with Real Madrid Over Managerial Role
Al Jazeera English
Jose Mourinho, manager of Benfica, has denied any contact with Real Madrid amid speculation he could return to the Bernabeu to replace current coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The Portuguese veteran, who led Real to a La Liga title in 2012, insists no one from the Spanish club has reached out to him. Real Madrid are struggling in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
Jose Mourinho, the manager of Benfica, has declared that there has been no contact between him and Real Madrid, despite rumors that the Spanish giants might soon turn to him.
The veteran Portuguese coach, who led Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013 during a fierce rivalry with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, is reportedly among the shortlisted candidates for Real Madrid's head coach position.
Current manager Alvaro Arbeloa appears set to leave after the club endured a second consecutive season without major silverware.
"No one from Real Madrid has spoken to me. I can assure you of that," the 63-year-old Mourinho told reporters on Friday.
"I've been in football for many years and I'm used to these things... but there's nothing from Real Madrid," added Mourinho, who helped Real win the La Liga title in 2012.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa in January to replace Xabi Alonso, who lasted only a few months in the role.
Real Madrid trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by 11 points with just five games remaining and were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals.
"I still have a year left on my contract with Benfica, and that's that," Mourinho added. His side were eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League playoff round in February.
