Mourinho: Benitez tried to remove my photos at Inter

Mar 20, 2013 1:00:00 AM

The 50-year-old built a close relationship with his players at San Siro and believes the Spaniard was envious of that connection during his tenure with the Nerazzurri

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on Rafa Benitez, accusing the Spaniard of attempting to remove any memory of his time at Inter.

The Portuguese led the Italian giants to Champions League glory in 2010 before being replaced by Benitez after his move to the Spanish capital.

However, the former Liverpool manager was dismissed from his post at San Siro after just six months and Mourinho believes the current Chelsea interim boss struggled to replicate the relationship he had developed with the Inter players.

He told RTP1: "Benitez wanted to remove my photos, but they came back once he was gone."

Mourinho was also keen to distance himself from comparisons with Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who served under the 50-year-old in his spells at Porto, Chelsea and Inter, although claimed to be aware of his success prompting youngsters in his native Portugal targeting coaching careers.

"I don't see anything of myself in Andre Villas-Boas. He has accessed places others couldn't. I follow his career regularly," Mourinho added.

"I know there is a Jose Mourinho effect in the young Portuguese. There is a lot of young people who dream about being a coach. Twenty years ago the youngsters wanted to be players, not coaches."

There has been much speculation regarding the Madrid boss' future, with rumours suggesting that a return to England could be on the horizon and Mourinho confirmed that he is unlikely to seek employment outside mainland Europe.

He said: "I don't see myself managing outside Spain, England, Italy or France."

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