Mourinho hints at Real exit

Jose Mourinho dropped the strongest hint yet that he may leave Real Madrid at the end of the season following their Champions League semi-final defeat against Borussia Dortmund.

Mourinho's future has been the subject of much speculation after a disappointing Primera Division campaign that sees them lie 11 points behind arch rivals Barcelona with five games remaining. The Portuguese has consistently skirted the question regarding his future, but when asked if he would remain in the Spanish capital for next season, he replied: "Maybe not."

He added on ITV1: "I don't know but I want to be where people love me to be."

Mourinho's comments will almost certainly put more than one Barclays Premier League club on alert.

Manchester City and Chelsea have both been mooted as possible destinations in the past for Mourinho, who managed the Blues from June 2004 until September 2007.

The 50-year-old left west London in acrimonious circumstances after a falling out with owner Roman Abramovich, although Mourinho remains Chelsea's most successful manager with two Premier League titles and three domestic cup wins.

Mourinho admitted in his post-match press conference: "I know in England I'm loved. I'm loved by the fans, I'm loved by the media that treats me in a fair way, criticising me but giving me credit when I deserve it.

"I know I'm loved by some clubs, especially one, and in Spain, the situation is a bit different because some people hate me.

"Many of you are in this room."

Mourinho, who has also managed at Porto and Inter Milan, added he will discuss his future at the end of the current campaign.