As usual, it came in coded fashion. He confirmed that he would not be able to give his annual talk to the coaches of Canillas – the youth team where his son plays – but stopped short of saying whether that would be because he would not be with Real or simply because he did not want to do it any more.

It is ever thus with Mourinho - a side-step here, a tease there - but it usually moves towards the same conclusion. It is why his powerful agent, Jorge Mendes, has made clear his client’s demands to Europe’s leading clubs.

Even if Real overcome Cheap dortmund shirts this week and win a 10th European crown at Wembley next month - possibly against barcelona shirt, who meet bayern munich shirt in this week’s other semi-final – it is almost inconceivable that Mourinho will remain in his post. There have been too many controversies: complaints about the Real hierarchy, tension with the club’s Spanish players, the conflict surrounding transfers and a perceived bias against Cristiano Ronaldo - another of Mendes’s candidates - who may also leave this summer .

Chelsea, where Mourinho’s cause is championed by Marina Granovskaia, the PA to Roman Abramovich whose influence is far greater than that title would suggest, have been told that their former manager wants a £12   million-a-year salary, total control of transfers, ahead of the club’s technical director, Michael Emenalo, and, crucially, a ‘get-out’ should they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season. The demands have been rejected, for now at least.

But going into the Champions League matches this week - and Bayern Munich’s Jupp Heynckes is also leaving to make way for Pep Guardiola - it appears Mourinho’s future could have a trigger effect, leading to other changes which could leave Europe’s landscape with a very different appearance next season.