London: Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday he hopes to be back in work by July and described media speculation about his future as 'lies'.

Jose Mourinho

The Portuguese (53) has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in December and is being touted as the successor to under-fire Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho said he'd rejected several offers since leaving Chelsea. "I was lucky to have good options since I left Chelsea, but I made a decision to wait calm in my corner, reading a few lies, listen to a few lies. The reality is I want to work and normally July, mid-July, new pre-season starts and I want to be there."