Jose Mourinho has clarified his comments about his next job(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho makes rapid U-turn after hinting at Premier League jobs he could take

by · Irish Mirror

Jose Mourinho has admitted he was joking when he said he was up for a Premier League relegation battle as his next challenge.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mourinho took on another of his former clubs, Manchester United, in this season's Europa League. Speaking after the 1-1 draw, during which he was sent off, the Fenerbahce boss appeared to hint at an eventual return to English football.

"The best thing I can do when I leave Fenerbahce is go to a club that doesn’t play in UEFA competition," Mourinho said. "So a club at the bottom in England, who needs a coach in two years, I’m ready to go."

Mourinho's comments might have put a few clubs on alert, despite the lack of a timescale on his next steps. Now, though, he has clarified the comments didn't represent a come-and-get-me-plea of any kind.

"I made a joke," Mourinho told Sky Sports during a wide-ranging interview. "I'm never going to a team fighting relegation. I will never go.

"I get upset, and I'm not in the period of my career to get upset. I'm in the period of my career to be happy all the time and at this moment playing in European competitions, I am getting upset all the time.

"But I'm not going to fight relegation. It's too hard! Honestly, I believe that has to be the hardest thing. It's more difficult than playing for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally, because it's something that changes lives. I think it's brave guys that do it."

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Mourinho is in his first season as Fenerbahce manager(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)

Mourinho took over at Fenerbahce over the summer, having left previous club Roma in January. The Istanbul club currently sit third in Turkey's Super Lig, and have five points from their first three matches in the Europa League.

“I want to thank you for your love," he told a crowd of Fener fans after receiving a warm welcome. "Normally a coach is loved after victories. In this case I feel that I am loved before the victories. That for me is a big responsibility that I feel.

“I promise you from this moment, I belong to your family. This shirt is my skin.Footballis passion and there is no better place to feel that passion. Since the moment I met the president, I wanted to play for you because you are the soul of the football club.

"I want to be the coach of all of you. I want to work in Turkish football. I want to help the Turkish league. But the most important thing for me is Fenerbahce. From the moment I sign my contract, your dreams are now my dreams.”

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