Jose Mourinho has slammed rumors suggesting that he is being lined up to replace under-fire Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. The Portuguese manager has frequently been linked with a move to move back to his former club but insists that there us nothing substantial in the claims.
Despite securing a few marquee signings with the likes of Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao all coming in, Zidane has endured a torrid period at the helm of affairs for Los Blancos with the season just kicking off. There is very little to write home about regarding the current form of the Whites considering they had won just two of their last five matches before the mid-week's 3-0 defeat to PSG in the UEFA Champions League.
With fans of Real Madrid already call for the head of Zizou, Jose Mourinho stated that the situation on hand is not as worse as it seems before rubbishing claims that he could be rebooting his managerial career with a return to his former stomping ground.
"They're third or fourth, no? Close to being first," Mourinho told Deportes Cuatro.
"It's not bad. If you look at it pragmatically, if you focus on the table, they're right there. Now, they play Sevilla and if they win, they go ahead of them. Barcelona are behind them and Atletico are a point ahead."
He added: "There are two types of rumours. One, when one speaks about Zidane, who is one of ours and it hurts us when our teams aren't going well. You have to live with it," he said.
"Zidane is in football all his life and he knows it. The other type of rumour is to put my name in there, and I don't like that. There are problems in many places, but another thing is respect.
"I wouldn't like to return because they have a manager and I can't coach a team who have a manager. You can speak with respect about the club but also about the manager who isn't just anyone. I am out of it. I'm not just blowing smoke. I would like that things turn out well and everything gets fixed.
"Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico, Manchester United and Chelsea - when you have massive expectations, it's difficult and tough. And for this, they say there are good players and managers who aren't giving everything, because it takes more than just talent, you also have to have a certain special personality."
