Former Inter manager Jose Mourinho spoke in length with British newspaper The Telegraph to reflect on his career and potential next steps following his recent sacking at Manchester United.
“I’ve entered a period in my life where I analyse everything I see and read. I travel, I study and I enjoy working on TV. I’m very relaxed but I also have an unbelievable desire to come back.
“I am the same as I have always been. Winning is my natural habitat and it has been since 2003. I have never left this state of mind. My last success was 18 months ago with United but something changed at the club and now I have more desire than ever to come back and prove my critics wrong.
“I feel like it’s my first day on the job again.”
He then commented on the race for the Serie A title, something he led Inter to during his tenure and was asked if he thinks the title has already effectively been won.
“Yes. Juventus have not face any difficulties. It is a good thing for them but it’s bad for Italy.
“Fortunately, the fight for European spaces is very open, which helps maintain some attention and motivation. I am convinced that the general quality of the league is improving. The main factor of this is that coaches are willing to give more opportunities to young talents.
“The big clubs are working to dethrone Juventus. Eventually there dominance will come to an end and at that point it will be because Serie A will be at a higher level of competitiveness and more entertaining like the Premier League. New investors are a great sign of this. Italy has more of an attraction than others.”
Asked if he would return to Inter if given the chance he said: “I prefer not to respond to this question, directly but my next club must be a place full of empathy and happy people. At Inter, all of that was there.”
He then shared his opinion on the Champions League.
“It is only the round of 16. It’s too early to talk about favourites. Ask me again during the quarters, at which point each team will have a 12.5% chance of winning.
“We have Juventus versus Atletico and Liverpool versus Bayern Munich. That is four big big clubs and only two will progress. We will see what happens in the quarters, I expect it to be really entertaining.
“Most teams focus on tactical discipline and defensive organisation because they know that the smallest detail can change history. Other teams rely on moments of magic from certain players.”