/world sport
MILAN, Italy -- Jose Mourinho has denied reports that he has had talks with Inter Milan about succeeding Roberto Mancini as manager, which had earlier been confirmed by the former Chelsea coach's personal adviser Eladio Parames.
Mourinho has been frequently linked with top clubs since his departure from Chelsea.
Parames said that Mourinho, accompanied by his agent Jorge Mendes flew to Milan on Friday to hold negotiations with Inter chairman Roberto Moratti, and added:"It is true they are in Italy and will return to Lisbon on Saturday."
But Mourinho responded with a statement to Portuguese national agency Lusa, saying:"I say categorically that it is not true that I went to Milan, that I met with Massimo Moratti (the Inter president), who I do not have the pleasure of knowing personally.
"It is false to say that I am on the point of signing a contract with Inter Milan."
Front page headlines plastered all over Saturday's Portuguese newspapers announced Mourinho's imminent departure for Inter after holding talks with Moratti in Milan on Friday - something which was confirmed to 'Diario de Noticias' by Eladio Parames.
The 44-year-old Mourinho has regularly been linked with top clubs since he left Chelsea in September last year.
Parames insisted that Inter made the initial contact, weeks after current coach Roberto Mancini said he was going to step down, only to change his mind 24 hours later.
"Of course, it was Inter who contacted Mourinho and his agent, not Mourinho contacting them.
"Mourinho always showed interest in working in Italy, and he received the contact with pleasure."
Moratti suggested this week that he was not planning to replace Mancini in the summer despite defeat against Juventus last weekend.
Moratti said: "I was not furious about the defeat. I continue to believe that this is a winning group. Mancini should be calm, as I do not have any planned meetings with Mourinho."
Luis Figo is likely to extend his stay with the Italian champions, according to his agent Miguel Macedo.
"He feels very well in Milan," Macedo said. "These reports about Mourinho have nothing to do with Luis Figo's interest in staying with Inter. Since Luis joined the club, many good things have happened to him
"He has a great relationship with Roberto Moratti, who showed interest to keep Luis in the club." E-mail to a friend 
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