Benfica coach José Mourinho has dismissed reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid, stating on Friday that no contact has been made between the parties.
The 63-year-old Portuguese veteran, who managed Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013 during a fiercely contested rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, has been widely reported to feature on Real Madrid’s shortlist for a new manager.
Current Madrid boss Álvaro Arbeloa appears set to be replaced, with the club heading towards a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
“No one from Real Madrid has spoken to me. I can guarantee that,” Mourinho told reporters.
“I’ve been in football for so many years and I’m used to these things… but there’s nothing from Real Madrid,” added Mourinho, who guided the Spanish giants to the La Liga title in 2012.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez appointed Arbeloa in January to replace Xabi Alonso, who lasted only a few months at the helm.
Madrid trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by 11 points with five matches remaining and were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
“I have a year to go on my Benfica contract, and that’s all,” Mourinho said. His Benfica side were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the play-off round in February.