Mourinho was magnanimous in victory after Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Manchester United.

Fresh from knocking Manchester United out of the Champions League, Jose Mourinho has fuelled further speculation about a move to Old Trafford by saying he is likely to return to the Premier League.

Speaking after Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over United on Tuesday, Mourino was quizzed about his future ambitions after months of rumours that he will leave the Bernabeu this summer.

Mourinho responded: "England is probably my next job. But I don't know when, I don't have any idea."

Many believe the Portuguese coach, who became a global icon during his time at Chelsea, will succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at United when the Scot finally retires.

Mourinho was notaby magnanimous after Tuesday's match, claiming "the best team lost" and defending Ferguson's decision to leave out Wayne Rooney. Some suggested it was an attempt to curry favour with the United board, which is apparently concerned that Mourinho is too volatile and ungracious to take over at Old Trafford.

However, in light of Chelsea's current turmoil, it has also been widely suggested that Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Although Mourinho's previous tenure in west London was blighted by an uneasy relationship with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner is thought to be open to the idea of a rapprochement, believing Mourinho has the presence and pedigree to guide the club out of their recent turbulence.

Abramovich has sacked eight managers during his 10 years in charge, and the appointment of Rafael Benitez as interim manager has proved hugely unpopular with fans.

With several top coaches ruling themselves out of the running to succeed Benitez this summer, Chelsea's options appear limited, and Abramovich may be forced to turn back to Mourinho - who remains the most successful Chelsea manager of all time.

'Ronaldo is the best - even better than Pele and Maradona'

Meanwhile, Mourinho has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is "the best", and compared the Portuguese winger to Pele and Diego Maradona.

Speaking to ITV Sport, Mourinho said: "I saw Maradona a couple of times. I never saw Pele. But Cristiano is incredible. This guy is the best.

"But even he cannot a win a match on his own. The key [to Tuesday's victory] was the team."

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