LISBON: Benfica coach Jose Mourinho insists he is capable of turning down an offer from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, while denying rumours of a possible return to the Spanish giants.
Mourinho will face Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs tomorrow morning before the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.
The 63-year-old Portuguese coach, who managed Madrid between 2010-2013, has a clause in his contract with Benfica that allows him to leave the club, leading to speculation that Perez could recall him next season.
Mourinho previously guided Benfica to a 4-2 win over Real Madrid in the league stage in January, which saw the two teams meet again in the play-off round.
“Can I refuse? Yes,” Mourinho said when asked if he could refuse a request from Madrid’s number one. “Yes, yes, of course.”
He admitted to having a good relationship with Perez and a permanent relationship with Madrid, but the clause was agreed due to Benfica’s presidential election last November, a few weeks after he signed the contract.
“I have given everything for Real Madrid, everything I have, there are good things, there are not so good things, but I gave it my all, that’s all,” Mourinho said.
“When someone leaves a club with that kind of feeling, I think that connection is always there… the fans think highly of me and that’s great, but with that I don’t want to create a story that has no basis.
“All that exists is my contract with Benfica for another year. It’s a special contract because it was signed during the election period.”
Mourinho said the contract was made to protect the new president, even though Manuel Rui Costa ultimately won again.
“There is an easy clause for me or Benfica to terminate the contract, but what exists is only the contract with Benfica, nothing with Real Madrid,” he stressed.
“I do want to knock Real Madrid out (of the Champions League), but I want Alvaro (Arbeloa) to win La Liga and stay at Madrid for many years.
“I think he is a very capable coach and has the soul of Madrid in him, and has the personality to lead Madrid, something that not everyone can do.”
Mourinho expects a different game compared to Benfica’s dominant display in Lisbon last month, emphasising the strength of Arbeloa’s team, champions of a record 15 times.
“The Real Madrid I expect tomorrow is the Real Madrid who are the number one favourites to win the Champions League,” said Mourinho.