Jose Mourinho: I don’t know my next club, but plenty are looking at me

Rumours in Italy suggest the Portuguese manager is poised to take over from Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan, with whom he won the treble in 2010, while his name is never far from stories concerning Manchester United.

And while Mourinho did dismiss a return to Inter - who he plans to watch against Sampdoria on Saturday - he gave few other clues as to his next move.

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"There is one thing I want to clarify - I will not be directing things over there next season. Inter already have a project that belongs to Roberto Mancini and (president) Erick Thohir," Mourinho told La Stampa.

"Their ideas have my full support and I hope their plans are successful. I want to see Inter fans smiling again and so I hope to witness a victory tomorrow.

"My next club? I really do not know, but one thing is certain - I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I've always had.

"Right now I have respect for every coach at every club.

It is understood Chelsea, who sacked Mourinho for the second time in eight years in December, have sent the Portuguese replica versions of the Premier League and League Cup trophies he won last season, as well as a letter thanking him for his achievements.

The bookies are convinced: Mourinho will be strutting along the Old Trafford touchline before too long.

But maybe it's not quite that clear-cut. Sure, another 'Mourinho to United' story has surfaced in the last few hours - courtesy of the Manchester Evening News - but Louis van Gaal remains in charge. Would it not make sense to have already chopped the Dutchman, if they were really set on appointing Mourinho?

Mourinho's comments appear to be a 'hurry up' message to United - and the link with Inter could be the ideal story to convince United to act quickly.