José Mourinho refused to be drawn into speculation about a potential return to Real Madrid, but his words carried a clear sense of affection for the club he once managed.

“I don’t want to fuel stories that don’t exist,” Mourinho said in the press room when asked about a hypothetical comeback to the Santiago Bernabéu. However, he did not completely close the door. “Yes, of course, you can say no to Florentino,” he added, referring to Florentino Pérez, while making it clear that no such offer currently exists.

Reflecting on his three seasons in Madrid, Mourinho spoke with pride: “I gave everything I had to Real Madrid. I did good things and bad things, but I gave it my all. My feeling is that I gave everything and that people respect me for that, with successes and failures.”

He also stressed that his present commitment lies elsewhere. The Portuguese coach has one more year on his contract with SL Benfica, including “a very easy clause to break by either party.” Still, he insisted: “There’s nothing with Real Madrid.”

Despite past tensions with sections of the Spanish media, Mourinho appeared relaxed and even warm when speaking about his relationship with Pérez. “The last time we spoke was when I signed with Benfica, and he congratulated me. I hope he comes tomorrow. We have a great friendship, there’s no need to hide it.”

He also recalled his departure from Madrid: “The president and José Ángel told me when I left that I was doing so just when the good times were coming, the easy times, that I had already done the hard work. But I thought it was the right moment, because my family comes first.” He was quick to credit those who followed him for the club’s later success: “What came after is thanks to those who were there, not to me at all.”

“I must be one of the few coaches who have left Madrid without being sacked,” Mourinho added. “If you leave of your own accord, you leave with a clear conscience.”

Looking ahead to the tie against Madrid, Mourinho acknowledged the challenge but dismissed talk of miracles. “I don’t think we need a miracle to get through. We need to be at our best, but not a miracle. Real Madrid is legendary, but we’re two giant clubs. Beating Real Madrid is very difficult. Doing it two or three times, knocking them out… It won’t be a repeat of what happened three weeks ago. We’re going to compete.”

He ended with a respectful message to the Madrid supporters: “I hope they forget about me and focus on helping their team qualify. Nothing more.”

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