Mourinho denies Inter return

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has said that "one day" he will return to work at Inter Milan, but that it won't be next season.

The Portuguese won the Champions League, two Italian titles and the Italian Cup in two years at Inter, before he left for Madrid in 2010.

His successor Rafael Benitez was replaced by Leonardo after less than six months in charge.

Leonardo only has a contract for this season and the Italian press has speculated that Mourinho could return when it runs out.

"Please stop talking about Mourinho being at Inter next season," Mourinho was quoted as saying in Saturday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "Myself and Inter will always be linked, and one day we will work together again. But not next year.

"Inter has a fantastic president and superb staff. Let them and Leo work together in peace so that they can finish this season strongly and prepare properly for next season. I will stay with Madrid next season."

On Wednesday Mourinho won his first trophy since taking over Real Madrid, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored an extratime winner in a 1-0 victory over Barcelona to claim the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona is eight points clear in La Liga with six games remaining and the sides will also meet in the Champions League semifinals.

Last season Mourinho's Inter Milan beat Barcelona 3-2 in the last four to reach the final in Madrid.

"They've been asking me if this defeat has ended Barcelona's hegemony, but what hegemony?" Mourinho asked. "It is a good team, but at the moment is only the Spanish champion. Someone else is the European champion."