MADRID — Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho downplayed his recent comments to the BBC that he wanted to return to England "in a couple of years," saying he has no plans to abandon Spain anytime soon.

The former Chelsea manager told the Real Madrid website Friday that the phrase "'in a couple of years' should not be translated literally, it is an expression used in English to mean within a few years, not exactly two."

"In two years nobody is going to get me out of here unless they kick me out for bad results," Mourinho said. "But I am sure that I am going to complete my contract with Real Madrid."

The 48-year-old Mourinho has a contract with Madrid until 2014.