Mourinho adviser dampens speculation over Inter job

Jose Mourinho's personal adviser has played down reports that the former Chelsea manager could be in line to replace Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini. Eladio Parames is confident Mourinho will be in charge of a leading European club next season but confirmed there had been no discussions with the Serie A leaders.

Mancini announced his intention to stand down at Inter at the end of the season in the wake of his side's Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday, and Mourinho immediately emerged as a frontrunner for the post.

But Parames said: "As far as I am aware he has not spoken to the Inter president [Massimo Moratti]. What happens is that his background speaks for itself so it's natural that the media keep writing, talking and speculating about him.

"Papers mention the Liverpool job too, but Mourinho has had no contact there either. Definitely he will be managing a top-flight club in Europe next season. I cannot tell you which club it will be, but he will be back, for sure."

Parames revealed the 45-year-old Portuguese, who left Chelsea last September, is tempted by the prospect of managing in Serie A or Spain's La Liga and is unlikely to return to England in the near future.

"Quite often Jose says to me: 'Everyone links my name to the clubs in trouble, but the truth is that I remain without a job and I'm getting used to the speculation,'" Parames said.

"Why does he prefer Italy or Spain rather than England? Because he wants new challenges. He is not banned nor has he agreed not to return to England, as some papers have said. Those leagues [Italian and Spanish] play a different style and he is attracted to this challenge. It does not mean that he will not return to England. He can do, but I am not seeing Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal sacking their managers."

Mourinho has also been linked with Benfica following Jose Antonio Camacho's resignation on Sunday, but Parames refuted that suggestion. "I believe that Benfica have already defined their future coach profile. I do not think Mourinho suits it and there has not been any contact either."

Mancini meanwhile could even reverse his decision to quit, his agent said yesterday. Giorgio De Giorgis said: "[There] is a real possibility he remains at Inter. President Moratti respects him and Mancini respects the president therefore I hope he stays."