Mourinho: 'English' quotes out of context

The Portuguese said he gave the quotes "my football is English football" some time ago for a book about Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and did not know they would be used in a newspaper.

"I am very sorry a sincere tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson has been used in bits in a media outlet and in a different way from which my input was requested and above all with totally different aims," Mourinho told Inter's website.

"As you can read from a correct translation of some of my quotes I explained I love Inter, that I am happy at Inter and that I am building for Inter. Indeed this is the reality and will be so until the end of my contract."

Earlier in the day, Britain's Times newspaper quoted Mourinho as saying: "I love Inter and would love to build for the future here (in Milan).

"In fact, I am doing it now, because I am not a selfish coach and I'm thinking about the future in terms of youth development and the age structure of my first team.

"But Italy is not the country for this. England is the country. And my football is English football."

Mourinho joined Chelsea in 2004 and won Premier League titles in his first two seasons in London before unexpectedly leaving the club in September 2007.

He joined Inter in 2008 and won the Serie A title in his first season. His contract with the Italian champions runs until 2012.