'I am avoiding it' - Jose Mourinho reveals the truth about Real Madrid manager talks

Jose Mourinho insists he has not had any contact whatsoever regarding a potential return to former club Real Madrid this summer.

Los Blancos are on the hunt for a new head coach after their faint hopes of lifting the La Liga title came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to fierce rivals Barcelona on Sunday night.

Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres scored early on to secure a simple win for the home side and ensure that they won the league title with victory in El Clásico.

It was the latest humiliation for Real Madrid in a season that saw them sack former manager Xabi Alonso and end the campaign trophyless. The Spanish giants have also made headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks, amid serious dressing room unrest, which saw Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde both fined 500,000 euros each after a training ground clash that left the latter needing hospital treatment.

Real Madrid know they must get their next managerial appointment right if they are to catch up with Barcelona and former boss Mourinho has been heavily linked with a return to the Spanish capital.

The 63-year-old is currently in charge of Portuguese club Benfica and insists his full focus is on a successful end to the season with them. They currently sit 2nd in Liga Portugal, level on points with Sporting, after Porto won the league title.

Jose Mourinho reveals the truth about possible Real Madrid return

Mourinho has been bombarded with questions about a potential return to Real Madrid this summer, but the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager insists he is fully focused on his current role. His contract runs until June 2027, but it is understood there is a clause allowing him to leave within 10 days of the end of their season if a €3million release clause is paid.

That has opened up the possibility of a return to the Spanish capital and Mourinho admits he could consider his options in the coming weeks,

"There are still people talking about Real Madrid, but I am avoiding it," he said at his latest press conference.

"I'm doing so in all honesty. I've had no contact whatsoever, neither with the president nor with any of the key figures in the organisation, and by my own decision - just as I've done in similar situations throughout my career, particularly now, in the final stages of the season - I haven't spoken to anyone.

"I've had no contact with Real Madrid, none at all, and I won't have any until after the final league match against Estoril either. Then there's a one-week window, during which I'll be free to speak to whoever I feel I should speak to, but all the stories that have been circulating - demands, meetings - are all speculation."