Jose Mourinho has reiterated that his next managerial port of call will be another club in the English Premier League.

It was at Chelsea where Mourinho confirmed his status as one of football’s brightest tactical talents, having moved to Stamford Bridge as a Champions League-winning upstart from Porto.

The Special One has maintained a soft spot for English football, and will seek its comforts when his turbulent spell as Real Madrid coach is over.

Speaking ahead of Real’s Champions League clash with Manchester United tonight, Mourinho said: "I will go back to England after Real Madrid. We will see (when that is).

"I love everything (about England). England will be my next step."

United are one of the clubs Mourinho has been linked to, but he says, half-jokingly, that it is unlikely that he will replace his friend Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford hot-seat.

Asked if Fergie’s job is one of his ambitions, Mou quipped: "No. I think we have to end our career at the same time. Him at 90 and me at 70."

Before he can fixate on his next managerial assignment however, Mourinho must engineer Real’s progression in the Champions League.

To a great extent, this season’s UCL will confirm The Special One’s legacy at the Bernabeu.

He has already achieved his first objective at the club by beating Barcelona to La Liga glory last season.

Yet even so, only a portion of the Real faithful were won over by the tetchy Portuguese tactician, and immediately, their gaze was directed towards ‘La Decima.’

Having all but conceded the league to Barca, this seasons Champions League has become Mou’s last meaningful assignment at Real, both personally and for the club itself.

And so for various reasons, victory over United is simply a non-negotiable.

"Real Madrid have won nine [European Cups], I have won two,” Mou said. “Real Madrid wants to win its 10th. I want my third."