Ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists he is "happy" at Roma - despite being linked with a stunning return to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are on the hunt for a new permanent manager after sacking Graham Potter earlier this month. Frank Lampard was re-appointed on a caretaker basis, but he is unlikely to get a permanent contract after losing his first four games in charge.
Chelsea are believed to be drawing up a manager shortlist - and there's a good chance Mourinho could be on it - but the Portuguese is happy in the Italian capital. Roma reached the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday night by knocking out Feyenoord.
Mourinho, who has also coached Manchester United and Tottenham, was asked about his future on Thursday night. He replied: "I'm happy here at Roma. I love the people, and they like me. Sometimes I'm frustrated, but I'm sure there's room for improvement here."
Roma suffered a 1-0 defeat to Feyenoord during the first leg of their quarter-final in the Netherlands last week, but they completed a comeback at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night. Roma levelled the tie through Leonardo Spinazzola's second-half strike.
Feyenoord regained the aggregate lead in the 80th minute, when Igor Paixao found the net. Yet Paulo Dybala's last-minute strike ensured the tie went into extra-time, where Roma secured the win thanks to goals from Stephan El Shaaraway and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
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Mourinho joined Roma in the summer of 2021, around two months after he was sacked by Tottenham. He enjoyed a solid first season in the Italian capital - winning the Europa Conference League - and is on course for Champions League qualification.
His existing deal expires in June 2024 and other teams are likely to be interested in appointing the experienced coach after his impressive spell with Roma. Chelsea are thought to be one of those teams, an appointment which would go down well with fans.
Mourinho won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield during his first spell in charge of Chelsea between June 2004 and September 2007. He returned to Stamford Bridge in June 2013 and won another Premier League title and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015.
Mourinho has previously hinted at leaving Roma. He told reporters earlier this month: "The situation is clear, from a contractual point of view I still have one year on my contract. Football is football, sometimes contracts aren’t the most important thing.
"All good, all calm, the next one is always the most important game."
Yet Mourinho's statement after the Feyenoord victory suggests he wants to see out his contract with Roma. He is also set to have a shot at winning the Champions League next year at the Stadio Olimpico, something which Chelsea can't offer him. The Blues are 11th in the Premier League and are almost guaranteed to miss out on a top-four finish.
