Jose Mourinho says he might leave Real Madrid, hints at Chelsea return

Jose Mourinho has finally spoken about his future, hinting at a Real Madrid exit and Chelsea return.

By Ryan Rosenblatt Apr 30, 2013, 5:41pm EDT

After his club was eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semifinals, Jose Mourinho admitted that he may not be back at Real Madrid next season. Instead, he hinted at a return to Chelsea.

"I don't know," Mourinho said when asked where he might go. "But I want to be where I love to be where people love me to be."

Amazingly, ITV didn't let Mourinho finish answering, but Mourinho did get the chance to expand upon his future with Sky Sports later.

"I am loved by some clubs, especially one," the manager told Sky, presumably speaking about Chelsea.

Chelsea are in the market for a new manager. Interim manager Rafa Benitez was confirmed as just that, interim, and with the club struggling just to finish in the top four of the Premier League despite a slew of expensive signings last summer, the Blues are sure to aim high with their next hiring. Mourinho would certainly fit the bill.

Mourinho has been linked to Chelsea for months now. Ever since Benitez's hire was met with derision by the fans at Stamford Bridge and the team struggled, every big name has been linked to Chelsea, but Mourinho has stood out above the rest. Perhaps not coincidentally, rumblings of Mourinho's Real Madrid exit grew louder when it was clear Chelsea would be hunting for a new manager this summer and the Merengues struggles all season only made it all easier.

More: Real Madrid blog Managing Madrid | Chelsea blog We Ain't Got No History

Mourinho had a successful run from 2004 to 2007 with Chelsea, twice winning the Premier League and also winning three other trophies before a fallout with owner Roman Abramovich led to his exit. But Mourinho and Abramovich have reportedly made up and Mourinho's popularity among the fans has never wavered. In fact, he only grew more popular when he went to Internazionale and won the Champions League, then won La Liga last year at Real Madrid while Chelsea have struggled to keep pace with the Manchester clubs in La Liga.

Now Mourinho has finally spoken about his possible Real Madrid departure and hinted at Chelsea return, turning the rumors into logical speculation. And so while Madrid mourns their Champions League exit, West London delights in the possible return of their hero.

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