After his Manchester United sacking it took an matter of hours for the speculation to begin about a possible return to Real Madrid for Jose Mourinho.

But it appears he is not wanted back at the Bernabéu and can forget about walking into another top job.

The three-time back-to-back European champions are said to still be in the market for a new coach with current boss Santiago Solari known to be only a short-term appointment.

Results and performances have picked up marginally since Julen Lopetegui was axed in October.

Madrid are through in the Champions League but fans are again calling for better direction after a 3-0 home defeat to CSKA Moscow in their final group game. A player clear out is now expected.

According to trusted Spanish specialists Marca, Madrid are looking at the next step with a bigger name on their wish list.

But Mourinho, who won one La Liga title in his three years at the helm, is not that man.

The former Chelsea and Inter boss' friendship with Madrid president Florentino Perez and director Jose Angel Sanchez is one of the reasons behind the talk of a return.

But they say the door at Madrid is "closed" even though the club do still maintain a special relationship with the Portuguese.

Marca say the damage done by the coach in the dressing room before he left in 2013 cannot be forgotten.

Mourinho, accused of falling out with a number of players at Old Trafford during his two-and-a-half years, has exchanged messages with Perez but this is only "out of politeness".