Reports fuel doubts about Mourinho's future

MADRID - Jose Mourinho is having doubts about his future as coach of Real Madrid, according to Spanish media reports

The website of sports daily AS said that he is "considering leaving the club on June 30", despite having a lucrative contract that runs until 2014.

AS said that Mourinho, who is the highest-paid coach in world football, is annoyed that Real have still not signed a new forward to replace long-term injury victim Gonzalo Higuain.

The coach has been jousting in the media with Jorge Valdano, Real's general director, about this issue.

Valdano and Florentino Perez, the club president, would prefer Mourinho to give more time to French forward Karim Benzema rather than publicly demanding a new signing.

However, Mourinho seems to have little faith in Benzema and only used him as a late sub in Sunday's disappointing 1-1 draw away to bottom team Almeria, a result that leaves the Whites four points behind leaders Barcelona.

AS suggested that Mourinho might be considering a return to Inter Milan, whom he left for Real last May, or a move to either Manchester City or United.

Other media reports yesterday said that Mourinho feels that the club is not backing him up in his verbal offensives against certain referees.

Mourinho said on Sunday that his team had been denied three clear penalties in Almeria, then expressed the hope that Perez Lasa "will not be in charge of our matches again".