Special lesson Mourinho has learned when you leave a club

Jose Mourinho has remained tight-lipped over his Manchester United sacking by insisting that chapter in his life is “finished.”

Mourinho was sacked by United last month after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepping in as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

The Portuguese coach refused to criticise the club, owners or players for the nature of his departure in December, and remains unwilling to air any grievances.

Speaking to Portuguese paper Correio da Manha, Mourinho said: “I have learned that, when you leave a club, you don’t go around talking about it, you don’t wash your dirty laundry in public.

“The chapter is finished and you don’t go around making criticism.

“The other thing I have learned is to respect the clubs who want me and those who don’t want me.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho has ruled himself out of the vacant job at Benfica, saying he has no intention of coaching in Portugal for the time being.

Benfica coach Rui Vitoria left the club by mutual consent last Thursday.

Mourinho began his coaching career in 2000 at Benfica but was in charge for only nine games before spells at Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

“I haven’t received an offer and even if I did, obviously the president of Benfica and the club itself would be the first to know my decision,” he added.