Mourinho rules out England role

LONDON, England -- Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has distanced himself from reports claiming that he is favorite to become the next manager of England if Steve McClaren is sacked.

McClaren is likely to lose his job if England fail to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals, which will eventuate if Russia win in Israel next month and then beat Andorra.

Mourinho, who left Stamford Bridge in September after a falling-out with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, has been tipped by bookmakers to take his place.

But the Portuguese manager insists that he wants to stay in club management for the time being.

"I couldn't see myself coaching any national team other than Portugal. If I were coach of another team and had to face Portugal, it would be wrong," he told England's News of the World tabloid.

"I think there are those who adore me in England. I adore English football. But I won't go back there for now. I'd like to come back later.

"I'd like to continue in club management, perhaps in Italy where I can test myself against their tacticians. The national team would be for later. The Portuguese national team is an ambition but not for the Jose Mourinho of today.

"Being the coach of a national team is not the same as being coach of a club. It's a job for someone who doesn't like working much."

Meanwhile, McClaren said that he still believes he is the right man for the England job.

"I thought I was equipped for the job at the beginning, I thought it after five games, half-way through, three-quarters of the way through and I feel that now," he said.

"We are building something. People can see that. It is for other people to judge whether I deserve more time.

"I enjoy the job. They are a great set of players to work for and the spirit has been excellent all the way through.

"The momentum has built up as we have gone on. Unfortunately, we have just lost that momentum." E-mail to a friend

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