Sports: Mourinho confirms his new job

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has confirmed in an interview with BT Sport that he will start a new job in July. The 53-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea in December and has been linked with Manchester United. (Manchester Evening News)

Steve McClaren’s future as Newcastle head coach is uncertain, but club officials have said the former England boss has not been sacked.(Chronicle)

If McClaren is replaced, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will be offered a £4m-a-year deal to take over. His contract would be worth four times McClaren’s agreement.(Mirror)

Benitez is due to travel to Newcastle on Friday to finalise negotiations to become the new manager, but there are concerns he is having second thoughts. (Telegraph)

Former Derby, Twente and Wolfsburg boss McClaren is furious at the way he has been treated by managing director Lee Charnley. (Sun)

Magpies owner Mike Ashley will fly in on Friday to talk to Charnley, who is expected to put forward the case for appointing Benitez. (Independent)

McClaren will be sacked before Monday’s Premier League match against leaders Leicester, with first-team coaches Ian Cathro and Peter Beardsley taking charge. (Sky Sports)

Benitez wants a three-year deal at St James’ Park and a break clause in his contract if he fails to keep Newcastle in the Premier League. (Star)

Benitez will be given an initial 10-game contract with an option for it to become a three-year deal if they avoid relegation.(Guardian)

Former Real Madrid boss Benitez wants to bring his own backroom team to Newcastle, and will dispense with their head coach model.(Mail)

Despite Benitez being sounded out, former Manchester United manager David Moyes, ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and Nigel Pearson, whose last job was at Leicester, are also in the frame for the Newcastle job. (Express)

Italy coach Antonio Conte is edging closer to becoming the new boss of Chelsea after agreeing deals to bring in his own backroom staff.(Guardian)

Alternatively, the move is being held up because the Italy boss wants to bring at least 10 of his current coaches with him.(Times – subscription needed)

If Conte does take charge at Stamford Bridge, he will make a surprise move for Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini, 30. (Sunderland Echo)

Aston Villa will make an approach for Hull manager Steve Bruce if Frenchman Remi Garde decides to quit Villa Park.(Mirror)

Other gossip

Nine players – including winger Eden Hazard, 25, midfielders Oscar, 24, and Nemanja Matic, 27, and striker Diego Costa, 27 – could leave the Blues this summer if they do not qualify for the Champions League. (Express)

Hazard should leave Chelsea because “his heart is not in it”, says former assistant boss Ray Wilkins. (Talksport)

Real Madrid will look to sell forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 31, in the summer because two summer targets, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, 27, and 23-year-old Juventus frontman Alvaro Morata, will not join if he stays. (Sport)

Barcelona have told Manchester United and Tottenham target Marc Bartra, 25, he is free to leave in the summer. The Spanish defender is valued at £10m.(Sun)

Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34, Real Madrid forward Ronaldo, and Chelsea winger Hazard could all be part of a transfer circle this summer.(Telegraph)

Chelsea players will not face a pay cut even if they do not qualify for next season’s Champions League.(Mail)

Nigerian youngster Kelechi Nwakali, 17, says he has signed a five-year contract to join Arsenal.(All Nigeria Soccer via Evening Standard)

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has urged assistants Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh to sign new contracts at the club. Both of their deals expire in 2017.(Leicester Mercury)

Despite playing for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Bournemouth striker Joshua King, 24, says Eddie Howe is the best manager he has worked under. (Bournemouth Echo)