Jose Mourinho has played down suggestions that he is on the verge of returning to Real Madrid as head coach.

Zinedine Zidane's position at the Bernabeu is believed to be far from secure following Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The Frenchman only returned to the Bernabeu in the latter stages of the 2018-19 campaign, and Los Blancos are third after four games of the new La Liga season.

A win over Sevilla on Sunday night could see Madrid rise to the top of the table, but there have been suggestions that club president Florentino Perez is considering a change.

Mourinho has been strongly linked with a return to the Bernabeu, but the 56-year-old doubts that Zidane will lose his job as things are not as bad as they seem.

"They're third or fourth, no? Close to being first," Mourinho told Deportes Cuatro. "It's not bad. If you look at it pragmatically, if you focus on the table, they're right there. Now, they play Sevilla and if they win, they go ahead of them. Barcelona are behind them and Atletico [Madrid] are a point ahead.

"There are two types of rumours. One, when one speaks about Zidane, who is one of ours and it hurts us when our teams aren't going well. You have to live with it. Zidane is in football all his life and he knows it. The other type of rumour is to put my name in there, and I don't like that. There are problems in many places, but another thing is respect.

"I wouldn't like to return because they have a manager and I can't coach a team who have a manager. You can speak with respect about the club but also about the manager who isn't just anyone. I am out of it. I'm not just blowing smoke. I would like that things turn out well and everything gets fixed.

"Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico, Manchester United and Chelsea - when you have massive expectations, it's difficult and tough. And for this, they say there are good players and managers who aren't giving everything, because it takes more than just talent, you also have to have a certain special personality."

Mourinho, who delivered the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup during his time in Madrid, has been without a position since being sacked by Manchester United last December.