How to rubbish rumours, Jose Mourinho-style

Compare and contrast. While Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wears the look of a hunted man, increasingly in denial about the decline of his team and his own tactical nous, another under fire boss had adopted a different approach in dealing with the pressure.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is already in trouble with the Spanish FA following last week's ugly encounter between Real and rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa. Not only did Real lose but Mourinho was seen to tug the ear of Barca's assistant coach Tito Vilanova in a touchline melee involving players and backroom staff.

Rumours have emerged subsequently alleging Mourinho is aggrieved at not receiving the full support of the Real board, and hinting at his imminent departure from the Bernabeu. But in an open letter to fans published on the Real website, the former Chelsea coach who revels in the name 'The Special One' rubbished the rumours.

"Only those who don't know me can dream, make up or believe I may leave at this stage," Mourinho states. "I believe many people were surprised by the quality football showcased by Real Madrid during the pre-season and it would be surprising news to them if I left the club now. Impossible!"

The Portuguese coach then lavished praise on club president Florentino Perez and new director general Jose Angel Sanchez, saying: "I have a fantastic president, who is very intelligent and with whom I have a great friendship. I also have a director general who works for the club 24 hours a day, so my motivation is enormous... there is no way I'm leaving. No way!"

But in a rare act of contrition Mourinho also used the letter to excuse his behaviour at the end of the Barcelona game, though in his own inimitable way he still couldn't resist a sly dig at the reigning European champions. "I also wish to apologise to Madridistas, and only to them, for my attitude in our last game. Some people are better adapted to the hypocrisy in football than I am, and they hide their faces and speak in whispers deep inside tunnels."

Meanwhile Arsenal fans are waiting with bated breath to see if the nutty professor follows Mourinho's example and pens an open letter of his own. Of course, if it's anything like Wenger's transfer policy, it would probably turn out be gibberish. ·