Mourinho says No to Spurs

Porto coach Jose Mourinho claimed yesterday he had been offered the job of Tottenham manager but turned it down.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is believed to have recommended him to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Mourinho confirmed the move himself by saying: 'I appreciated the invitation by Spurs but had to decline.'

Sources close to Porto still expect Mourinho to be installed at White Hart Lane at the end of the season and feel he rejected the approach because a place beckons for Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Earlier this week, Mourinho told a Portuguese newspaper he would be delighted to manage an English club.

'I would love to, because one of my dreams is to work in England,' he said.

'For me, coaching there would be the ultimate.'

Mourinho impressed O'Neill by beating his Celtic side in the UEFA Cup Final last May and Porto are unbeaten in their league this season.

Spurs, who yesterday parted company with finance director Paul Viner, are prepared to allow David Pleat to remain in charge for the rest of the season.