AS.com

Speaking to the Spanish news agency 'EFE', former Real Madrid defender Iván Helguera has cast doubt on the future of Bernabéu boss José Mourinho. Helguera, who also played for Valencia and Espanyol, responded to questions about the Portuguese coach by declaring: "With everything that's going on, I think Mourinho will leave. It also depends on what happens in the Champions League. If he wins that competition maybe he'll want to stay and people will want him to stay. But he seems a little bit tired at Real Madrid." Helguera continued: "He's been here for a few years now, and being Madrid coach is very demanding."

The former Spain international also looked at possible replacements for Mourinho in the Real hot-seat, suggesting that the former Porto, Chelsea and Inter supremo's replacement should be home-grown. "I think there are a lot of very good Spanish coaches who are doing a great job. In my view, it would be better if Real Madrid appointed someone from Spain," Helguera explained. The 38-year-old also singled out Madrid youth team coach Alberto Toril as a viable option if Florentino Pérez chooses to promote from within. "If someone from inside the club gets the job, I'd like it to be Toril because he knows the club, he knows what's best for Madrid and he knows the youth team set-up well."

The former Real defender also said: "At Barcelona they gave Pep Guardiola and now Tito Vilanova the confidence to go on and manage the first team, and in the same way I think they [coaches promoted from within the club] understand the club better and understand what Real Madrid is about. That was the case with [former Real coach Vicente] Del Bosque."