Jose Mourinho has launched a stinging attack on Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez after the Spaniard’s wife teased the Chelsea boss by saying her husband was always having to tidy up messes left by the Portuguese.

Montserrat Seara triggered the attack after Spanish newspaper La Region published her light-hearted remark following Benitez’s appointment at the Bernabeu last month, the third time he has joined a club previously managed by his rival.

Mourinho was clearly not amused and speaking to reporters in Washington, he delivered a withering straight-faced response.

“The lady is confused,” he said.

“I am not laughing... her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

“The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter where, in six months, he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time. For her also to think about me, and to speak about me, I think she needs to occupy her time.

“And if she takes care of her husband’s diet, she will have less time to speak about me.”

Benitez was hired by Inter in 2010 after Mourinho had led an aging team to a European and domestic treble before leaving for Real Madrid.

The Spaniard was dismissed after six months, with the club down in seventh place in Serie A.

Benitez also managed Chelsea on an interim basis, succeeding Roberto Di Matteo in 2012, five years after Mourinho’s first spell ended, when the Italian was sacked six months after winning the Champions League.

His spouse’s comments appear to have rekindled a bitter feud between the two men that dates back to his time in charge at Liverpool, when he clashed with Mourinho several times between 2005 and 2007.