Luis Figo insists Jose Mourinho will not be offered an Internazionale return in the summer.
Having been controversially shown the exit door at Chelsea in September 2007, Mourinho spent the remainder of the season out of the game. A number of clubs were soon linked with his signature, and he eventually settled for Italy when he signed a three-year deal with Inter in June 2008.
The Portuguese coach was a huge success for the Nerazzurri, winning the Scudetto in his first campaign in charge. The following season was even more successful, as he retained the title and also won the UEFA Champions League and Coppa Italia to complete the treble.
Mourinho left the San Siro after two years to take charge of Real Madrid, and he led them to La Liga glory last term. This time round, whilst their defence of the title is all but over, Los Blancos are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they look for that elusive tenth crown.
The 50-year-old is expected to quit the Bernabeu at the end of the season, and he has hinted that he could return to one of his former clubs. Whilst Chelsea would appear to be favourites to take him on again, it looks increasingly likely that Inter will also be in the market for a new coach.
Current incumbent Andrea Stramaccioni has struggled to make an impact since succeeding Claudio Ranieri in March 2012, with a surprise 4-3 home defeat to Atalanta on Sunday leaving them in sixth position and eight points off a qualifying place for next season’s Champions League.
Just like the Chelsea fans, the majority of the Inter support would welcome Mourinho back with open arms in the hope he could repeat the successes of his first spell at the club, but club ambassador Figo has ruled out a second term in charge for his compatriot.
“It would be impossible for that to happen now,” he told Cadena COPE. “The fans want him because he left a good impression, but the second time is not always as good as the first. If he leaves Real this summer then it will be because he wants to, but, as a Madrid fan, I hope that he stays.”
