Jose Mourinho responds to Newcastle United links

Jose Mourinho has shot down reports that he might be willing to quit Roma to manage Newcastle United. The Magpies have been connected with a number of managers to replace Steve Bruce since the Saudi-backed takeover last week. Newcastle's new administration has failed to give Bruce long-term promises about his future, thus Mourinho has been linked with a move to St James' Park. Mourinho, on the other hand, is convinced that he is focused on his task at Roma, having moved to Italy in the summer. When asked about a potential return to the Premier League, Mourinho replied: ‘I have nothing to say about Newcastle. ‘I worked with Mr. [Bobby] Robson [at Barcelona], one of the greatest in the history of the club, and I have always had a connection with those people and that city that I know well by now. ‘But nothing more. I am 100 percent focused on the project with Roma-Friedkin project.’

What people think...

Danny Mills, a former England defender, claimed earlier this week that Mourinho would be the ideal candidate for Newcastle. ‘If you’re talking about being given money to build a team and be relatively successful, I’d go with Mourinho,’ Mills told talkSPORT. ‘If you give Jose enough money and allow him to do what he wants to do, he will guide you to success quicker than probably anyone else. ‘Newcastle can go slowly and survive this season. Next season finish in the top half, then top six.’