Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Mourinho plays down PSG link

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has conceded defeat in the Primera Liga title race while distancing himself from the Paris Saint-Germain job.



The Portuguese faces an uncertain future at the Bernabeu as Real struggle to close a 15-point gap on league leaders Barcelona, with reports in Spain suggesting Mourinho is also at odds with several club directors and members of his playing staff.



The 49-year-old has been linked with a summer return to England, where he managed Chelsea to two Premier League titles, or a potential move to ambitious French outfit PSG.



An in-depth interview with Mourinho will be broadcast on French radio station RMC Sport this afternoon, but Spanish newspaper AS published several key points of discussion on their official website in advance.



Mourinho told RMC Sport: "The La Liga title is impossible now, there is too big a gap. We have to focus on other goals like the Copa del Rey and the Champions League."



"It does no good to obsess over these things, obsession only makes things more complicated. Nothing will be easy."



"We need to stay calm and make the most of every opportunity."



PSG have struggled to dominate Ligue 1 this season despite heavy investment in the playing squad, with star names Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi being drafted in by head coach Carlo Ancelotti and director of football Leonardo.



Mourinho believes the capital club will prove to be a force to be reckoned with, both at home and abroad, but rejected suggestions he could replace Ancelotti in the summer.



"No, I don't think I will coach PSG," he added. "The success of PSG with Ancelotti and Leonardo means they have no need for another coach.



"I hope everything goes well for Carlo and PSG."



"Europe needs to have a city like Paris competing at the top level of football, and I think this project is going to work."



The Portuguese was also eager to play down his reputation as a controversial figure having drawn unwanted attention to himself on several occasions.



One such incident resulted in a two-match ban as Mourinho appeared to jab then-Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye at the end of a Spanish Super Cup game in August 2011.



He added: "People talk about controversies that don't exist. Every day I hear about controversies concerning me but are unfounded."



"I am a football coach, I am just doing my job and trying to get good results."

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