‘I’m not looking for a club’ says Jose Mourinho, rather clubs ‘are looking at me’

'My next club? I really do not know' says Jose Mourinho, who has been most strongly linked to Manchester United, 'one thing is certain – I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I've always had'.

Jose Mourinho shown after winning the Premier League title with Chelsea last year. Adam Holt / Reuters / May 24, 2015

Press Association

Feb 20, 2016

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists he is not busily looking for a new club – but rather that several clubs are pursuing him.

The Portuguese left Stamford Bridge two months ago and has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League club Manchester United, who are currently managed by the under-fire Louis van Gaal.

Reports in Italy have suggested Mourinho could even return to Inter Milan, with whom he won the treble in 2010, as current head coach Roberto Mancini is struggling to secure a top-three finish in Serie A.

But Mourinho, 53, says he has no plans to return to the San Siro dugout, nor does he know exactly where he will take his next assignment.

Ahead of a personal trip to Milan to watch Inter play Sampdoria on Saturday, he told La Stampa: "There is one thing I want to clarify – I will not be directing things over there next season. Inter already have a project that belongs to Roberto Mancini and (president) Erick Thohir.

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“Their ideas have my full support and I hope their plans are successful. I want to see Inter fans smiling again and so I hope to witness a victory tomorrow.

“My next club? I really do not know, but one thing is certain – I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I’ve always had.

“Right now I have respect for every coach at every club.

“I’m not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me.”

It is understood Chelsea, who sacked Mourinho for the second time in eight years in December, have sent the Portuguese replica versions of the Premier League and League Cup trophies he won last season, as well as a letter thanking him for his achievements.

Mourinho is not alone in receiving Chelsea’s gratitude for last season’s achievements.

It is understood the club have paid the same compliment by awarding replica trophies to all the players and coaches involved in the Premier League and cup successes.

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