Spain captain Iker Casillas has told Portugal that his Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho, is too busy to resurrect their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign (Real Madrid 11/10 – La Liga Outright).
Reports this week have claimed the Portuguese Football Federation want the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager to take over on a temporary basis after the sacking of Carlos Queiroz.
Queiroz was dismissed last week after being handed a six-month suspension for insulting anti-doping officials ahead of the World Cup.
Prior to that, he had presided over a home draw with Cyprus and a defeat in Norway in Group H to dent Portugal’s hopes of making it to Ukraine and Poland.
Portugal face Denmark at home and Iceland away next month and speculation had suggested the FPF would turn to the self-proclaimed ?Special One? on a two-game basis.
However, Casillas, who led all-conquering Spain at the World Cup in the summer, says Mourinho does not have the time to devote to his country?s cause.
He said: “I think it would give him too much. I am sure he would like to coach Portugal but his head only thinks of Madrid.
“I don’t think he will go. I have talked to him and his mind is set on Madrid.”
Mourinho himself admits the idea could be a non-starter although he has not completely ruled the proposition out completely.
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Real Sociedad this weekend (Sociedad 6/1, draw 16/5, Madrid 4/11), he told a press conference: “If it were not for Real Madrid I would do it for free.
“But if you ask me right now if I can go, I think not. I have a contract with Real Madrid. I do not say no, but in the natural way of things, I do not think this is the time.”
Mourinho added: “Real Madrid have every right in the world to put an obstacle in the way.
“And if you put the slightest obstacle there, I can’t go.
“To say no to Portugal is impossible because of my personal pride and my passion for Portugal, but at the moment I cannot say yes.”
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