Chelsea interim-coach Rafael Benitez on Tuesday suggested that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho would be replacing him at Stamford Bridge next season. The Spaniardalso confirmed that there was no prospect of his own tenure being extended. “You know that the next year, there’ll be another manager here,” he said. “I think that everybodyknows who will be here. It’s not my concern now what will happen next year.”

Meanwhile, in Madrid, the ‘Special One’ gave a cryptic press conference in which he seemed totry and pour cold water over the Chelsea rumors. “I have decided to continue,” the Portuguese said, without elaborating further. “I want to be paid by Real Madrid right until the day that I stop,not one day further. I understand that the world of soccer, just like the modern society in general, can be a hypocritical place. Those are not my principles. I feel fine, normal, relaxed at themoment.”

Mourinho went on to criticize Real defender Pepe, who had spoken out againstMourinho’s treatment of club captain Iker Casillas. “It is very easy to analyze what he says,” Mourinho said. “His problem has a name — Raphael Varane. Hewas talking from frustration. It is not easy for a man of 29 years to be blown away by a kid of 19. But the kid is fantastic. And who had the courage to put in the kid? Me … I understand it isnot an easy situation for him. There must be very few people who think that Varane and Sergio Ramos are not the future of Real Madrid.”

Marca, meanwhile, is reporting thatMourinho is cutting an increasingly isolated figure at Madrid. The paper says he has just three alliesleft: Michael Essien, Diego Lopez and Luca Modric.

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  1. Kind of unusual for Mourinho not to have dressing room backing him up. But his decisions on starting Varane and Diego Lopez are spot on. Diego Lopez is an incredible goalie and has done a tremendous job between the posts. Varane is a beast and he clearly has between Pepe out of his position. Knowing how influential Casillas is in dressing room, he will get his starting position back next year, but Mou will be gone by then. Don’t think Pepe wil recover his though. I want Diego at Arsenal.

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