Could I be the next England manager? Why not? Jose refuses to rule himself out of England running

Jose Mourinho has admitted he could be the next England manager but has cancelled a planned return to London in a bid to stop further speculation linking him with the job.

In a short interview with Sky Sports News, Mourinho said he was remaining in Portugal because nobody would believe he returned to England to see family and friends.

Mourinho declared: "I am in Portugal. I would like to be in London with my family for a couple of days but nobody would believe the reason why I would be there - to see friends and family and do some Christmas shopping.

"So to try to stop the speculation I decided not to go and stay here. It is sunny and beautiful."

But, when asked if he could be the next England manager, Mourinho replied: "Why not?"

Off camera Mourinho said the England post was a big one and the type he was looking for but he denied he was using the Football Association in a bid to get a club job.

Earlier the FA had denied reports that they were set to meet with Mourinho and had already held talks with Fabio Capello.

FA chief executive, Brian Barwick is believed to have drawn up his shortlist of candidates to replace Steve McClaren after talks with a number of figures within the game.

Mourinho and Capello are thought to be at the top of the wanted list. Capello has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid last summer and is keen on the England job.

Mourinho has refused to rule himself out of the running but the FA played down suggestions that Barwick had invited the former Chelsea coach over to England for talks or that they met with Capello last week in Italy to discuss the job.