Mourinho shuts down speculation he will return to manage Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has quickly removed himself from the running to succeed embattled manager Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid, instead saying he would rather extend his stay at Manchester United.

Mourinho, like Lopetegui, has been under fire this season due to apparent in-fighting with players such as Paul Pogba, a testing relationship with the Old Trafford boardroom over the club's transfer policy, and a poor run of form that sees United occupy 10th place in the Premier League.

However, the Portuguese handler insists he hasn't had his head turned by a potential vacancy at Real Madrid. The reigning European champions are positioned seventh in La Liga, four points adrift of table-topping Clasico rivals Barcelona.

"No. My future is here - I have a contract and until the final of my contract I only think about Manchester United," he said in response to Spanish reports that he's being lined up as Lopetegui's replacement, as quoted by the Guardian's Jamie Jackson. "I am happy to stay here longer than that."

Mourinho oversaw Real Madrid between 2010-2013, collecting silverware in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana. The club isn't faring so well since former Spain handler Lopetegui's summer appointment, with Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Levante marking a third successive defeat for Los Blancos.

Mourinho signed a new Manchester United contract in January which runs until 2020, with the option of an additional year. He will be in charge for Tuesday's Champions League visit from Juventus, albeit without the assistance of Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez.