Spurs snubbed again

Porto coach Jose Mourinho has claimed he turned down an approach from Tottenham earlier this season.

Mourinho admitted that he spoke with a Spurs representative before his side's Champions League clash with Marseille in October - but told the Londoners he was not prepared to leave Portugal until the summer.

He told PA International: 'We were in Marseille for the Champions League and someone accredited to Tottenham spoke with me about moving right away to England.

'I told him if it was a proposition for next season then we could talk to see what could happen.

'But to play against Marseille and then start immediately at Spurs, I wouldn't even listen to that invitation.'

Mourinho has attracted plenty of interest following his treble-winning exploits with the Portuguese champions last season.

Porto landed the SuperLiga title, Portuguese Cup and beat Celtic 3-2 in the UEFA Cup final in Seville to boost the profile of the man who learned his trade as an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson.

The pair first came into contact at Sporting Lisbon when the Newcastle manager was coach in the 1992-93 season.

Mourinho, who graduated from Lisbon University with a degree in physical education, was employed as a translator then, but a decade later he has become one of Portugal's most sought after young coaches.

Mourinho, who is gearing his side up to face Manchester United next week in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie, has admitted that he expects to be elsewhere by the start of next season - with England at the top of his list.

Mourinho has made it no secret that he would love to take charge at Arsenal or Old Trafford but claimed he would prefer Liverpool over a switch to Chelsea despite owner Roman Abramovich's billions.

'Liverpool over Chelsea, no doubt about it,' he added.

'I think Chelsea is a complicated club because there is a lot of money but an enormous pressure to win something soon.

'Do you think it's bearable to keep this crazy investment and not to win something? I think not.

'I think the money will stop entering the club if they fail to win anything.'

Mourinho also issued a stark warning to Spurs over former Porto striker Helder Postiga, who has failed to show the form that made him a Portuguese international since his move to White Hart Lane.

'From what I know, there are four Portuguese players in England,' he added.

'Silas (Wolves) and Postiga were my players at Leiria and Porto respectively and honestly, I think, from a professional point of view, they made the wrong choice moving into English football.

'I recently saw Manchester City v Tottenham and if Spurs play that way then Postiga won't ever win this challenge.

'He needs to be fed by the wingers and Tottenham don't play like that.'

Mourinho also fears for the future of Newcastle youngster Hugo Viana, who has also struggled to make an impact in England.

'Hugo needs to play at the centre, he is not a winger, and insisting on that will never pay back the investment.

'There is another problem because Gary Speed is a reference point for Newcastle and proves each week his value playing in the middle, which means Viana will have a lot of difficulties imposing himself.'

There was better news for Manchester United starlet Cristiano Ronaldo, who could face his countrymen on Wednesday.

'Ronaldo is very fast and I think he is able to triumph anywhere he plays, he is one of players of the future.'