Jose Mourinho gives frank response to links of becoming next Everton manager

Jose Mourinho has revealed he is ‘very happy’ at AS Roma and will not leave until his contract expires having been linked to the Everton manager’s job.

The Toffees are searching for Rafa Benitez’s replacement after he was sacked following last Saturday’s horrendous 2-1 loss at Norwich City.

There have been several names thrown into the hat so far - including Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and, most recently, Fabio Cannavaro.

Mourinho was also mentioned as a possible target by Sky Sports, with Everton reportedly keen to prise the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager back to the Premier League.

The Portuguese only took over at Roma in the summer.

Things haven’t been easy so far, with Roma sitting seventh in the Serie A table.

But Mourinho stressed that he remains committed to the ‘project’ in the Italian capital.

He said: “In terms of emotion, passion, empathy, of being happy working with Roma, I say I am 11 out of 1.

“I am truly, very, very happy to be at a club where I feel the people trust me. I couldn’t be happier than this.

“In football terms, playing to finish between fourth and eighth place is obviously not what I want, but this is a moment of a different project for me and we will be better off next season.

“I won’t deny in the first half I did feel frustrated, as our performance was horrible.

“Having said that, I am happy right now and would not change this Roma project for any other.

“I gave my word for these three years and I will not leave before the three years are up. This is my project too.”