Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is on the radar of Manchester City's ambitious owners.

The Times says City remain fiercely protective of Mark Hughes, who has been offered a series of public and private reassurances by Sheikh Mansour and the chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak.

Hughes has been assured that his position is not under threat, but the vision that is being sold to Kaká and other potential transfer targets includes the appointment of a coach such as Mourinho at the end of the season, with City already weighing up a strategy to lure the former Chelsea manager from Inter Milan.

Intriguingly, one of the alternative targets is Carlo Ancelotti, who is Kaká's coach at AC Milan.

Mourinho is understood to have been made aware of City's interest, via third parties, and is believed to be open-minded about the prospect, either this summer or in the longer term.