Chelsea have not guaranteed my future, says Mourinho
LONDON, Apr 14 (Reuters) Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has not received any guarantees over his future from the Premier League club's board, British newspapers quoted him as saying today.
Speculation has grown that the Portuguese manager could leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, with media reporting that a deteriorating relationship with club owner Roman Abramovich could prompt his departure.
Mourinho has repeatedly expressed his commitment to seeing out his contract, which runs until 2010, but when asked whether the board had told him if he would be at Chelsea beyond this summer he said: ''Nobody told me.'' Newspapers quoted Mourinho as saying he felt he had chief executive Peter Kenyon's backing and continued to distance himself from speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid.
''When I say 200 times in the last two months to my supporters, my players, my board, to everybody, that I want to stay at Chelsea I cannot do more. I don't want my name to be linked with other jobs,'' The Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.
Despite Mourinho's wish to stay at Chelsea, rumours of potential candidates to take over from him if he leaves continue to fill newspapers.
One of those touted as a possible successor, Russia coach Guus Hiddink, told the BBC on Saturday: ''It's not an issue, I work with a lot of satisfaction where I am now.'' Having already won the League Cup this season, Chelsea are still in the running for another three trophies. They booked a Champions League semi-final place this week, trail Premier League leaders Manchester United by three points and face Blackburn Rovers in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Reuters SSC GC1528


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