Mourinho puts family first

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would put his wife and children first if forced to choose between family and football.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would put his wife and children first if forced to choose between family and football.

"It is a complicated situation which I hope I will never have to go through," he told sports daily A Bola.

"It is a complicated thing but if I was in a similar situation I would have no doubts. What would I do? Leave! Between family and football ... family," he added.

Mourinho was commenting on the dilemma faced by Benfica coach Giovanni Trapattoni who is chosing between returning to his family in Italy or staying on in Portugal for the second year of his contract.

Trapattoni, who steered the Lisbon club to their first league title in 11 years last weekend, is expected to announce his decision later on Tuesday.

"I think Trapattoni is the right coach for Benfica at this moment. Because he is realistic, experienced, a leader, a good manager and is immune to outside pressure. That is why Benfica was the champion this year," said Mourinho.

Mourinho moved to London with his wife, whom he met in secondary school, and two young children after he joined Chelsea from Portuguese side Porto in June 2004.

Chelsea wrapped up their first league title in 50 years last month, having already won the League Cup, and only went out 1-0 to Premiership rivals Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Earlier this month Mourinho signed a new five-year contract with the club.