Benzema salutes Mourinho

Karim Benzema: Real forward delighted Jose Mourinho has signed a new deal

Karim Benzema has hailed Jose Mourinho as the 'best coach in the world' after the Real Madrid boss committed his future to the Spanish giants.

Mourinho, who signed an initial four-year deal when he joined the club in 2010, has agreed a contract extension that will tie him to the Bernabeu until June 2016.

That news should end speculation about Mourinho's future, with recent reports linking him with the vacant managerial position at former club Chelsea, while he has also been mentioned as a long-term successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

It has also gone down well with Benzema, who after a difficult start to life at Madrid following his big-money move from Lyon in 2009 has flourished under Mourinho and last season scored 32 goals in all competitions.

The France international was quoted as saying at a promotional event in Paris: "He is the best coach in the world.

"He's given us things that we didn't have. I'm happy that he's continuing.

"We are making progress thanks to him, we've won the league."