Jose Mourinho reiterates desire to return to England

Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire to return to the Premier League "in a couple of years" once his time in charge of Real Madrid is over.

The former Chelsea manager has always been open about his love of the game in England and has long been linked with taking over Sir Alex Ferguson's role at Manchester United when the Scot decides to retire.

The Portuguese joined Madrid on a four-year contract in the summer of 2010 and this season has guided the Spanish giants to the top of the Primera Division, three points clear of Barcelona going into the winter break, but he has described a return to the Premier League as "the next step".

Mourinho told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "I am very, very happy to be in Real Madrid. It is a great experience for me.

"I believe it is probably the biggest club in the history of football, I didn't want to miss the chance to work here but my passion is England and my next step will be to go back, if possible go and stay for a long time.

"Get me a club in a couple of years, get me a good club."

The 48-year-old is a renowned student of the game but he insists "individual genius" will always prevail regardless of the amount of preparation and organisation.

He said: "I think the genius will make always the difference. And the genius in my sport is about some unbelievable players that can break every organisation and every work you can do.

"Genius in managing also exists.

"For me in football the most important thing is man management. Football for me is a human science, it is about man."

Mourinho also agreed the prospect of human failure is one of the attractions of sport, saying: "Emotional intelligence is crucial at this level in every sport.

"It is one thing to take a penalty winning 5-0 in a friendly, another thing is to take a penalty kick in the last minute of the Champions League or World Cup final.

"I try to prepare my players the best I can but in the end of the day they are the guys that decide everything in the right moment. They make the difference.

"I analyse them in a group context always but I know they are all unique.

"This is an amazing experience - many of us don't want to quit, never. We want to go to the last day we can because this leadership becomes part of our life."

PA