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Jose Mourinho has no interest in taking over from McClaren

Jose Mourinho insists he is not interested in replacing Steve McClaren as England soccer coach.

McClaren faces the sack if England's stuttering Euro 2008 qualifying campaign ends in failure and Mourinho is the bookmakers' favorite to take over.

But the Portuguese wants to stay in club management and claims even if he did consider an international job, the only challenge that appeals to him is leading his own country.

"I couldn't see myself coaching any national team other than Portugal. If I were coach of another team and had to face Portugal, it would be wrong," he told the News of the World.

"I think there are those who adore me in England. I adore English football. But I won't go back there for now. I'd like to come back later," Mourinho said.

"I'd like to continue in club management, perhaps in Italy where I can test myself against their tacticians. The national team would be for later. The Portuguese national team is an ambition but not for the Jose Mourinho of today," he said.

"Being the coach of a national team is not the same as being coach of a club. It's a job for someone who doesn't like working much," Mourinho said.

Meanwhile McClaren believes he is still the right man to lead his country.

"I thought I was equipped for the job at the beginning, I thought it after five games, half-way through, three-quarters of the way through and I feel that now," he said.

"We are building something. People can see that. It is for other people to judge whether I deserve more time," McClaren said.

"I enjoy the job. They are a great set of players to work for and the spirit has been excellent all the way through," he said.

"The momentum has built up as we have gone on. Unfortunately, we have just lost that momentum," he said.
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