Former Director of Football Reveals French Offer For Mourinho

Paris Saint Germain's former director of football Leonardo has revealed that he was pushing hard for Jose Mourinho to join the French club, but when they made their interest serious he was already close to joining Chelsea.

Mourinho made a heart-felt return to Stamford Bridge at the beginning of the summer after a controversial three years at Real Madrid.

He has since faced more controversy at Chelsea with some of his selection decisions and use of particular players in the squad coming under scrutiny as his side have got off to an overall positive start in the Premier League.

While Mourinho has always insisted that he wanted to return to the Blues after his tenure with Madrid Leonardo has admitted that he was also wanted by the big-spending French side.

"I wanted Jose Mourinho," he told JDD, via Inside Futbol. "But he was almost committed to Chelsea.

"Later we looked for other solutions, but my suspension complicated things.

"It was difficult to ask someone to come when I myself was about to depart."

Leonardo was handed a nine month suspension at the end of May after the 43 year old was caught on camera pushing a referee after a 1-1 draw with Valenciennes. Thereafter, he decided to leave PSG as they searched for a new manager following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to replace Mourinho at Madrid.

When the manager made his return to Chelsea there were rumours that Mourinho could have been on the shortlist to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United but he has continually denied that this was ever a possibility.

PSG meanwhile appointed Laurent Blanc their new coach and while the side began the season slowly with two draws in a row they are now on track and level on points with top-placed Ligue 1 newcomers Monaco.