Mourinho rules out England
21 Oct 2007 - 12:50:52
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed talk of him becoming the next man in charge of the England national team, if Steve McClaren is axed in the near future.
Mourinho has admitted that he would only take on an international role with his home nation of Portugal, bringing to an end to the link with the top job in England.
He told The News of the World: "I couldn't see myself coaching any national team other than Portugal. If I were coach of another team and had to face Portugal, it would be wrong.
"I think there are those who adore me in England. I adore English football, but I won't go back there for now. I'd like to come back later.
"I'd like to continue in club management, perhaps in Italy where I can test myself against their tacticians. The national team would be for later. The Portuguese national team is an ambition, but not for today.
"Being the coach of a national team is not the same as being coach of a club. It's a job for someone who doesn't like working much.
"I'm completely against having foreigners with national teams, not because I doubt the professionalism with which they do it, but I think that a national team should bring together the best players and the best coach from each country.
"The national team is an obsession for me, but it will be at the end of my career. Let there be no doubt about that."