Mourinho hails Italian media

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has praised Italian media as “those who know the most about football”.

Mourinho has been linked with a move back to Serie A with Inter Milan and Roma connected with the Portuguese.

Mourinho won the treble with Inter in 2010 and left the club on good terms.

The 56-year-old fanned the flames of a potential return by talking up the journalists in Italy. Speaking with the Portuguese Sporting Press Association he said:

“The best journalists, those who know the most about football, are in my view the Italians. They are so interested in football, they want to know, understand and perceive everything about the sport.

“They are undoubtedly also the best prepared and have a very rich language when discussing football.”

The two-time Champions League winning manager spoke highly of Spanish media and also took a subtle dig at the British press.

“The Portuguese press are very good, but there is a very clear difference in Britain between journalists and commentators, so it seems to me their tendencies are decided by who they like or don’t like.

“Spanish media adore football and the clubs they support. They live it 24 hours a day, but are often too influenced by the clubs they love.”

Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United on December 18 following a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.