Mourinho sets course for Premier League

Premier League clubs were put on alert last night as Jose Mourinho was reported to be quitting Real Madrid at the end of the season to return to England.

He has always said he would like another shot at the Premier League after winning two titles in a row with Chelsea.

Before then he wants to become the first coach to win a grand slam of championships in England, Italy and Spain. Madrid lead La Liga but Mourinho has been upset by criticism of his repeated failures to beat Barcelona and negative tactics.

Although Real are seven points clear at the top of the Primera Division, Mourinho's position is by no means secure with controversy never far away ever since his move from Inter Milan in May 2010.

The 49-year-old has not managed to break Barcelona's dominance in matches between the two rivals while he has attracted negative headlines for a number of unsavoury episodes.

Last weekend he was booed and whistled by some Real fans responding to others chanting his name although he professed to be unconcerned.

Last month Real president Florentino Perez insisted the Portuguese was the man to usurp Barca, saying: "Signing Jose Mourinho has been my best decision as president of Real Madrid."

Over Christmas Mourinho reiterated his desire to return to England "in a couple of years" - although he later clarified his comments, explaining he had not literally meant two years, but a few.

He insisted he wanted to see the fruit of his labour at the Bernabeu, saying: "I don't see the moment when I'm going to leave nor do I want to leave."

However, reports are claiming he will choose to leave Real and return England once the current season is over.

Mourinho spent a little over three years at Chelsea from June 2004, twice winning the league and league cup as well as the FA Cup before his sudden exit in September 2007.

Last night a senior source at Manchester City, a likely destination if Roberto Mancini fails to win the League, denied the claim that he has already signed a pre-contract there.

Carlos Tevez is unlikely to return to West Ham United on loan. There has been mounting speculation about the 27-year-old Argentinian returning to his former club.

However, Kia Joorabchian, his representative, said: "He is a West Ham fanatic. That's one club very close to his heart but I don't think that would be possible."

Liverpool are reported to have offered Andy Carroll in a straight swap for Tevez, which City predictably turned down.

PA