Jose Mourinho has confirmed on numerous occasions that his next managerial position will be in the Premier League and it seems that he could be heading to England as soon as next season, with reports in Spain suggesting that the ‘Special One’ signed an agreement with Madrid in December to depart after the end of the season.

Chelsea interim manager and former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has already confirmed he won’t be at the club next season which leaves the post of Chelsea manager lying vacant. Numerous candidates have been linked with the post, ever since and even before Benitez’s outburst, including the likes of Fabio Capello, Michael Laudrup and Jupp Heynckes to name but a few.

Laudrup has recently signed a new contract at Swansea and Capello has distanced himself from the vacant position. Heynckes has announced he will retire at the end of the current season which means Mourinho could return to London.

The Portuguese tactician has been speculated to be leaving Madrid for quite some time now, especially since his shocking decision to omit club captain Iker Casillas from his first eleven. Mourinho’s muted celebration and the respect shown after knocking Manchester United out of the Champions League fuelled speculation he would like nothing more than to succeed Ferguson at Old Trafford.

According to Metro.co.uk, even former Blues assistant Ray Wilkins believes Mourinho will be at Old Trafford. He said, “‘I think Jose will be the next manager of Manchester United. I would give the Chelsea job to someone like [Brighton’s] Gus Poyet.”

However, with Mourinho likely to depart Real this season, and Ferguson not yet ready to give up the managerial reins at United, a move to Manchester seems a bit premature.

With Mourinho’s special ties with Chelsea, it is difficult to imagine him managing another club in England outside of Chelsea. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to give in to the fans demands to bring back Mourinho and is reportedly preparing a big financial package to tempt the 50-year-old.