Mourinho: I’m staying back in London

José Mourinho, the sacked Chelsea coach, says he will be staying back in London “for now” amid speculation that he would return to Spain to coach Real Madrid.

In a statement issued on his behalf by CAA Sports management on Saturday, Mourinho also said he would not be attending high-profile games in the meantime “to discourage any speculations”.

Reports have also linked him to Manchester United, where Loius van Gaal is not having the best of support form the fans.

Mourinho also spoke fondly about his “eight trophies” at Chelsea in a combined spell of five years at the London club.

The full text of the statement

José Mourinho is pleased that he returned to Chelsea Football Club because he was able to give the fans another Premier League title, which they had not won for many years. He is immensely proud of his eight trophies at Chelsea, and thanks the fans for all their support throughout his two spells at the club.

During his career, José has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave.

Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. José hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007.

He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t tired, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward.

Because of his love of football, you will see Jose at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future.

Jose will remain living in London and hopes he and his family will be given the opportunity to do this privately.

Jose will not speak about his current situation for the foreseeable future. He asks the media to respect this decision.