English Premiership: Jose Mourinho has risked further strain on his relationship with Roman Abramovich by admitting "it would be an honour" to take charge of Real Madrid, the first time Chelsea's manager has spoken so openly of a desire to work at the Bernabeu.
Although Mourinho also claimed he wanted to honour his contract - which is worth £5.2 million a year and lasts until 2010 - his comments will be interpreted in some quarters as a sign he is already planning for life after London.
"I would really, really like to coach Real Madrid, but not next season. I would like to go to Madrid when my work at Chelsea is done," said Mourinho. "I have a contract with them (Chelsea) until 2010 and I like working in England. One day, though, yes, I would like to go to Madrid. I'm not ruling it out.
"Every coach would like to do it. It would be an honour to work in a club like Real Madrid. I don't say no for the future. I say clearly no until 2010, because I have a contract with Chelsea. I want to stay at Chelsea, I am in love with Chelsea, I am in love with English football."
Abramovich intends Chelsea to be Europe's dominant club and seems unlikely to be impressed with Mourinho's open admiration for such a major rival.
Their relationship appeared close to breaking point in January when Mourinho was unable to recruit a centre back as cover for his injured captain John Terry. Only last week the Portuguese added to rumours he would leave by saying that, if the club decides to sack him, he will "walk away a millionaire and find another club in a couple of months".
With Fabio Capello unlikely to survive into next season following Real's Champions League exit last week, Mourinho would be a popular replacement. A combination of Real's vastly improved performance in the 3-3 draw at Barcelona on Saturday and the size of the compensation package payable if he is sacked has kept Capello in charge so far.
However, poor results, soporific displays and the opposition of fans guarantee he will go and Real are already planning for it, with Rafael Benitez and Bernd Schuster on a short list which includes Mourinho.
Mourinho's comments about Real came on the back of the controversy over the interpretation of the words filho da puta which means "son of a whore". The Chelsea manager admitted saying the words during their FA Cup quarter-final draw with Tottenham on Sunday, but claimed it was not meant in an offensive way and the English FA confirmed yesterday that it would not be taking any action.
With the long-term futures of Terry and Frank Lampard still not certain, Chelsea were yesterday boosted by Michael Essien's decision to agree a new five-year contract which keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2012.
The 24-year-old signed for Chelsea from the French side Lyon for £26 million in August 2005 and has been one of Chelsea's most influential players this season, appearing in 46 games and scoring four goals.
Chelsea will now hope to finalise similar long-term deals with Terry, and Lampard, although progress has proved problematic.
Terry was expected to sign several weeks ago but discussions are understood to have stalled over the England captain's demands for parity with the best-paid players at the club. Mourinho, though, is unperturbed and has pointed out Terry's existing contract lasts until 2009.
The situation with Lampard is more pressing. The 28-year-old is waiting to be offered an extension to the five-year deal he signed in May 2004. A Fifa-adopted European Union law, however, enables players to terminate a contract, provided they have served three years of it and signed it when under 28. Lampard will be eligible to invoke that rule in May.
- Guardian Service
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