Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho dropped another hint he was considering his future by saying he might not be with the Spanish giants next season after they lost in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.
After Real’s 4-3 aggregate defeat by Borussia Dortmund, the former Chelsea manager was asked if he would remain in Madrid next term and he told ITV Sport: “Maybe not. I don’t know, but I want to be where people love me to be.”
Real came within a whisker of pulling off a remarkable comeback after losing their semi-final first leg 4-1 away to Dortmund last week, but came up just short with a 2-0 win at home to go out of the competition.
A third straight exit at the last-four stage prompted further questions on Mourinho’s future at Real.
The former manager of Porto and Inter, who won the Champions League with both clubs, has been surrounded by rumors he might leave Madrid after this campaign, with England his most likely destination, despite having a contract with Los Blancos until 2016.
“I know I am loved in England, I am loved by the fans and the media,” Mourinho told a news conference.
“I am loved by some clubs, especially one,” he added, referring to Chelsea. “In Spain it is different, some people hate me, many of you in this room.”
Mourinho also lashed out at English referee Howard Webb, saying he should have dismissed Dortmund’s Mats Hummels for a handball in the second half.
“It’s incredible and I continue to say the same that he is a fantastic referee,” Mourinho told Spanish television. “But it’s incredible that he didn’t give Hummels a red card.”
“I have spoken to him [Webb] already and he didn’t give Mats Hummels a red card so that Mats Hummels can play in the final,” he added of the official he knows well from his Chelsea days. “I come to the conclusion that in the end Webb is as good a referee as he is a person, with a big heart, because he let a player off a red card to the detriment of the other team.”
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