Cape Town - Jose Mourinho on Wednesday ruled out a return to Chelsea, reports The Sun.

The Real Madrid boss has snubbed owner Roman Abramovich by saying he is not interested in replacing Carlo Ancelotti.

And that will be a blow to players and fans who wanted him back.

A pal of Mourinho's said: "Jose makes no secret that Chelsea has a special place in his heart and that one day he'd love to go back.

"The trouble is nothing seems to have changed at Stamford Bridge since he left, they're still making the same old mistakes.

"There are too many different factions around Roman Abramovich as poor Ancelotti found out."

Mourinho, who has said his next job would be in England, was installed as a front-runner when Ancelotti was sacked on Sunday.

Former Blues caretaker boss Guus Hiddink, now Turkey manager, is in the frame for a comeback.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini's agent has hinted Chelsea have made an initial approach. And Porto chief Andre Villas-Boas is also on the radar.

Mourinho won a personal battle on Wednesday as Real dismissed managing director Jorge Valdano after run-ins with the "Special One".