Jose: I want to be a Real boss if my Chelsea reign ends

Jose Mourinho has opened the door to a move to Real Madrid if he is sacked by Chelsea in the summer.

"I would very much like to coach Real Madrid," the Stamford Bridge boss told Spanish television after flying to Pamplona to see Champions League opponents Valencia held 1-1 at Osasuna on Sunday night, adding: "I'm not ruling anything out."

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However, Mourinho later reiterated his desire to see out his contract at Stamford Bridge.

"It would be an honour to work in a club like Real Madrid," he said. "I don't say no for the future. But I say clearly no until 2010 because I have a contract with Chelsea.

"I want to stay at Chelsea, I am in love with Chelsea, with English football."

Madrid would be the perfect destination should Mourinho fail to settle his differences with Roman Abramovich — current Real boss Fabio Capello is widely expected to be shown the door in the summer.

One player who will not be accompanying Mourinho should he leave is Michael Essien — the Ghana utility man signed a £90,000-a-week, five-year deal yesterday, putting him on a par with Didier Drogba, who signed a contract extension until 2010 last November.

By tying the Africans to long-term deals, Chelsea have ensured they cannot be poached by Mourinho if he leaves.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is supplying his former club Valencia with the inside track on how to beat Chelsea.

• Chelsea are supporting Kick for CLIC Sargent, the football fund-raising event that helps children with cancer. Visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/football. CLIC Sargent are Chelsea's official national charity partner.