Mourinho denies Real exit rumors as he faces Liga ban
Statement by coach's spokesman that he was considering leaving Madrid later denied amid limited apology over Supercup violence
José Mourinho was on Tuesday forced to deny rumors he was set to abandon Real Madrid after Canal+ issued a report that the under-fire Portuguese coach felt a lack of support at institutional level has made his position untenable.
The basis of the report was a text message apparently sent to a Canal+ journalist by Mourinho's spokesman, Eladio Paramés, which stated the Real coach was "thinking about leaving the club." Paramés denied issuing the missive.
Mourinho published a letter on Real Madrid's website scotching the rumor: "Only those who don't know me could dream, invent or believe that I could leave Real Madrid," it read. "I am not leaving. Absolutely not."
Mourinho also said sorry for his part in the on-field mêlée after the Spanish Supercup, in which he poked Barça assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye. However, the Portuguese pointedly only offered his apology "to the Madrid fans." Liga authorities on Tuesday opened an inquiry into the incident, for which Mourinho may face a ban of between four and 12 matches.
