Mourinho: I want to eliminate Real Madrid - and for Arbeloa to win LaLiga

Mourinho: I want to eliminate Real Madrid - and for Arbeloa to win LaLiga

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho insists he's not auditioning for a return to Real Madrid tonight.

Ahead of their Champions League playoff, Mourinho has been linked with a return to Real Madrid, despite their stunning improvement under Alvaro Arbeloa.

Before tonight's first-leg at home, Mourinho smiled: "Idon't want to fuel stories that don't exist.

"Yes, of course, you can say no to Florentino (Perez, Real Madrid president)."

He continued: "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 people respect me for that, with my successes and mistakes.

"But I don't want to fuel stories that don't exist. The reality is that I have one more year with Benfica, with a very easy clause to terminate by either party. There's nothing left with Real Madrid.

"I would really like to eliminate Real Madrid, and for Arbeloa to win La Liga and stay with Real Madrid for a long time. He's a great guy and he deserves it."

Mourinho also stated of his relationship with Florentino: "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 took the opportunity to recall what the president and vice-president Jos9 1ngel Sanchez told him when he left Real Madrid.

"The president and Jos9 1ngel 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. It was even a turbulent time, but what came after is thanks to those who were there, not to me at all."