England 'will be my next step' after Real Madrid, confirms Jose Mourinho

Mourinho talks ahead of his side's Champions League tie against Manchester United

Jose Mourinho has confirmed he expects to return to England when he leaves Real Madrid - but not to join Manchester United because he expects Sir Alex Ferguson to carry on until he is 90.

Mourinho has fallen out of favour with the media who follow the Spanish giants, and, it is rumoured, many of his senior players.

The former Chelsea boss played down the depth of his so-called crisis.

However, ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League encounter with Manchester United at the Bernabeu Stadium, Mourinho said a return to England was on the agenda.

"Are you worried with my crisis? I am not," he said.

"But I will go back to England after Real Madrid. We will see (when that is).

"I love everything (about England). England will be my next step."

Mourinho has been heavily linked with Manchester City and Chelsea recently.

It has also been felt he would be of interest to Manchester United, even though club ambassador Peter Schmeichel has said the former Porto coach is not under consideration.

Mourinho doesn't see himself being installed at Old Trafford either, mainly because he expects Ferguson to continue for a good while yet.

"No," he said, when asked if he could replace Ferguson.

"I don't believe so.

"I think we have to end our career at the same time. Him at 90 and me at 70."

Nevertheless, Mourinho is under immense pressure to win this tie, which he believes "the whole world is watching".

With the La Liga title on its way to Barcelona, it is hard to see Mourinho surviving much longer if he fails in the quest to land a record 10th Champions League crown for Real.

"There are great clubs in the world who have never won this competition," he said.

"Real Madrid have won nine, I have won two. Real Madrid wants to win its tenth. I want my third.

"If it comes this year good. If not, I will try again next year.

"I don't think I will end my career with only two titles."

Although it didn't look it, Mourinho insists he is still enjoying his work and midfielder Michael Essien claimed the manager always has a smile on his face.

However, there is no escaping his fractious relationship with those who follow Madrid's fortunes so closely, as he pointed out when asked to comment on the Spanish newspaper depiction of Wayne Rooney as a "hooligan" this morning.

"I didn't read it," said Mourinho.

"I don't know if it was written in that context, calling him a hooligan, or completely different.

"But if I can say one thing on behalf of Rooney, I was called worse than that, week by week."

PA