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and no top ranking.

Phil Mickelson missed the cut in his return to Colonial after a 3-over 73 Friday put him at 4 over 144. That was only one stroke better than the worst score recorded among the 119 players who completed the first two rounds under ideal scoring conditions.

“I played terrible. I dont know what to say,” Mickelson said. “The course was in great shape, there was no wind and there were a lot of birdies out there, and I just played terrible.”

A victory at the Colonial would have pushed Mickelson ahead of Tiger Woods for No. 1 in the world ranking for the first time in his career.

Missing the cut will also keep Mickelson from playing during the tournaments second “Pink Out” on Saturday.

Most players joined PGA Tour and tournament officials in wearing pink for the first “Pink Out” a year ago, when Mickelson wasnt at Hogans Alley to defend his 2008 Colonial title right after finding out that his wife, Amy, had breast cancer.

“I wish I was going to be here to partake in that. Ill be wearing pink tomorrow, but in San Diego,” Mickelson said. “Monday is Amys birthday and so it will give me a chance to spend a weekend with her to celebrate.”

The only tournament Amy Mickelson attended since being diagnosed last year was the Masters last month, when she was behind the 18th green with their three children on the final day to share in Leftys victory.

When asked how his wife was, Mickelson responded, “Shes doing well, thank you.”

It is Mickelsons first missed cut in 11 tournaments this season. The last time he didnt play a weekend round in a PGA Tour money event was at Houston in April 2009, a span of 21 tournaments.

“Absolutely, we are disappointed. Phil is one of the best players in the world. We would love to have him for the weekend,” tournament chairman Chuck Scherer said. “Phil is a great friend of Colonial. We understand that he gave it his all. We are disappointed but, no, nothing will change. ”

A few weeks after last years Colonial, Mickelson learned his mother also had breast cancer.

Tournament director Peter Ripa, who spoke to Mickelson in the locker room after his round Friday, said Lefty “was ready, head to toe” to participate in Saturdays event.

Ripa said the intention of the second “Pink Out” is to “transition this to be about breast cancer awareness and Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and build the funds for support for the research for curing the disease.”

Two downtown Fort Worth buildings were being illuminated with pink lights Friday night, and tournament title sponsor Crowne Plaza will make donations for each birdie and eagle made during the third round, which based on last year could be about $35,000.

Mickelsons return to Colonial got off to a spectacular start, with birdies on his first two holes Thursday. But he was 6 over with only three more birdies his final 34 holes, including two quick bogeys Friday and then three more in a row after his final birdie.

“I thought my game was sharper. I thought I had a good couple of practice sessions at home. This was a good barometer though because the start to my run into the U.S. Open, it tells me Ive got a lot of work to do,” he said. “I didnt drive it very well, didnt hit very many good iron shots. Ive struggled a little bit with the short game and the putter wasnt great.”

In his only other tournaments since winning the Masters, Mickelson was the runner-up at Quail Hollow and tied for 17th at The Players Championship three weeks ago.

Mickelson started his second round with a par at No. 10, then had consecutive bogeys, hitting his second shot out of bounds at the par-5 11th hole and then at No. 12 knocking a par-saving 5-foot putt a couple feet past the cup.

After consecutive birdies at Nos. 1 and 2 during his first round, he had to shout “Fore!” after errant shots toward spectators on both of those holes Friday.

Mickelsons 3-wood approach from thick rough at the par-5 first headed toward the gallery on the right of the green, though Mickelson managed to save par from there.

When his tee shot at the dogleg-right No. 2 stayed right toward spectators, Mickelson cupped his mouth with his hands and gave another warning. But he hit the shot from the rough to 12 feet of the pin and made birdie.

“Come on Phil, we need you baby,” a spectator shouted before Mickelson teed off at No. 3.

Instead, Mickelson bogeyed the next three holes.

“I was a little rustier than I thought,” he said. “Ill get home and get some practice in and see if I can get this thing turned around.”

Serena Williams looked ill, and not only because she had lost five games in a row at the French Open.

A trainer paid Williams a visit during a changeover, checked her temperature and gave her pills. Then came a third-set surge, and Williams beat 18-year-old Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday, 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.

There was no prescription to help Andy Roddick, who lost to Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Roddick threw rackets and argued with the umpire, but the fits of temper failed to produce a turnaround against an opponent ranked 114th.

The top-ranked Williams appeared in danger when she fell behind 5-love in the second set and summoned the trainer. Soon Williams court movement improved, her strokes steadied and she advanced to the fourth round.

The seesaw win assured Williams of retaining the No. 1 ranking after the tournament.

In the completion of suspended matches, Russians Mikhail Youzhny and Nadia Petrova reached the fourth round.

Youzhny, seeded 11th, defeated Viktor Troicki 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-3. Petrova, seeded 19th, edged No. 15 Aravane Rezai of France, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 10-8. in the mens draw. (AP) Petrova plays Venus Williams next.

Top-seeded American twins Bob and Mike Bryan were upset in the second round of doubles by unseeded Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

On a cloudy, windy, chilly day, the center-court stadium was slow to fill for Serena Williams match, the first on the schedule. Her aggressive returns had Pavlyuchenkovas serve under consta suddenly reversed the momentum in the second set.

Williams began to look sluggish during points, took her time between them and occasionally grimaced, while Pavlyuchenkovas booming groundstrokes kept finding the corners.

But in the third set, Williams erased three break points to take the lead for good at 2-1. She again became forceful with her returns, and whacked the last one at Pavlyuchenkovas feet for the win.

Pavlyuchenkova, seeded 29th, fell to 8-1 this year in three-set matches. Williams is 100-44 in three-setters.

Three sets were all the No. 6-seeded Roddick could manage. Playing on his worst surface, he found himself always on the defensive against Gabashvili, who even had the more dominating serve, with a 9-4 edge in aces. Roddick never broke and lost serve four times.

His mood was sour almost from the start. During a first-set changeover, Roddick threw two wrapped rackets and seemed to be angry about the way they had been strung.

During another changeover three games from the end, Roddick engaged in a long, heated discussion with the umpire. Rod unseeded Robby Ginepri, who came into the tournament with a 1-7 record this year.

The 25-year-old Gabashvili, who was playing in the third round of a major event for the first time, is the lone remaining qualifier in the mens draw.

Roger Federer has been an adviser, friend and Olympic doubles partner for Stanislas Wawrinka, and now theyll be Grand Slam opponents for the first time. Switzerlands two best players meet Sunday in the fourth round.

“Hes really a good friend,” Wawrinka said. “We know each other so well, so its never easy to play him, especially here in French Open. But then when you go on court, you try to do your job.”

Wawrinka has taken care of business at Roland Garros, reaching the round of 16 for the first time. With one more victory, he would earn his first berth in a Grand Slam quarterfinal.

A win would also end Federers record streak of reaching the semifinals in 23 consecutive major tournaments.

“All streaks come to an end,” Wawrinka said. “Sooner or later in his career, he will lose before the semifinals. But writing history, that is not my main objective.”

Seeded 20th, Wawrinka earned a chance to play Federer by beating Fabio Fognini on Friday, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Federer beat qualifier Julian Reister 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.

Also advancing were Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams. Most of tennis top players were in action because of a schedule backlog caused by rain earlier in the week.

Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was upset by fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. The No. 6-seeded Kuznetsova, who saved four match points in the second round, will fall out of the top 10 for the first time in four years.

“You cannot play all the time great,” Kuznetsova said. “Its ups and downs. I have not been playing well this clay-court season and this season, but it happens, you know. Ill be back. I have the game. Its fine. Its just matters of time.”

Defender Patrice Evra has already captained Manchester United to victory this season and is now ready to lead France at the World Cup if Thierry Henry doesnt win back his starting place.

Evra wore the France armband for the first time on Wednesday night against Costa Rica, and if Henry again finds himself on the bench for Sundays match against Tunisia he will likely do so again.

“Its hugely satisfying, but not just when Im wearing the armband, its when I am in the changing rooms, to see that the guys are behind me and proud of me,” Evra said. “Thats my (personal) triumph, but the hardest is still to come. I know that a lot of responsibility comes with being captain, but (Henry) is also captain, dont forget.”

Evra led United to success in Englands League Cup final in February, and coach Raymond Domenech may keep him as captain in South Africa because Henry is short of match fitness and Nicolas Anelka is favorite to play center-forward.

“Youll have to ask the coach. I will give everything I have for this team, to make sure they stick together until the end,” Evra said. “Thats my role.”

The 29-year-old Evra was one of the most outspoken players during the World Cup qualifiers, and was not scared to either criticize the fans at Stade de France when they jeered constantly, or accept the flak when the French played badly.

Alex Ferguson saw those natural leadership qualities in Evra, who had already captained Monaco on occasion before joining United four years ago, and Domenech overlooked more experienced players like defender William Gallas and Anelka when giving him the armband against Costa Rica.

“Its not something I ever asked for or sought to obtain. A man like Alex Ferguson gave me certain responsibilities, and now its Raymond Domenech,” Evra said. “What really made me feel proud was that my teammates were happy for me. Ive been captain a few times for my club, and now with the national team. Theres a lot of responsibility that goes with it.”

Evra has played 28 times for France since making his debut for Domenechs first game in charge in August, 2004.

His commitment on the field is matched by his involvement behind the scenes.

He has helped unify a France squad that was fraught with generational conflict during the European Championship two years ago, where cliques were formed and the atmosphere was always tense between the older lot and younger players like Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema - neither of whom, tellingly, have been picked by Domenech this time.

During the pre-World Cup training camp in Tignes, the French players gradually got to know each other again, better relations ensued and a more jovial, relaxed atmosphere was clearly evident during team training sessions.

“I saw a squad that was happy to be together, without forcing it. It was more of a natural thing, the order of the day was to go toward others more,” Evra said. “As they say, you can a win a few games with talent, but its with a team that you win a tournament. We already knew we had talent - thats not whats missing - (so) we had to look elsewhere.”

Evra says there were some face to face talks required, as that was the only way to break down some of the existing barriers players had put up.

“We said what we had to say to each other. That stays between us,” Evra said. “We talk every day at the (dinner) table, were never sat next to the same mate. Its not forced, its not imposed (on anyone), its natural.

“Its time to move forward. There will be difficult times, but even in the hard times I know this squad will stick together.”

France coach Raymond Domenech will equal Michel Hidalgos national team record of 75 games in charge against Tunisia in Sundays World Cup warmup match.

Domenech took over from Jacques Santini after the European Championship in 2004, and the highlight of his embittered time in charge was reaching the World Cup final four years ago - where France lost to Italy in a penalty shootout after the match finished 1-1.

Two years later, Domenech seemed certain to be fired after France went out of Euro 2008 without winning a match.

Domenech shocked and upset French fans when he asked his girlfriend to marry him live on television moments after the final group game ended in a defeat to Italy. He apologized the next day for what he called an error of communication.

“I only have one plan, that is to marry Estelle (Denis),” Domenech said live on television after the 2-0 loss to Italy. “So Im asking her for real today.”

The French press criticized him, forcing Domenech to issue a bizarre apology.

“Forgive me for having a trace of humanity at a time when I should have stayed cold, professional. Behind my coachs shell I had a hope, I wanted to tell the people I love that I love them,” Domenech said the next day. “For a moment I wasnt a robot, sorry about that.”

Domenechs fickle attitude pushed his already battered reputation beyond redemption. He is jeered at every home match.

But he kept his job and got France to the 2010 World Cup at Irelands expense in a tense November qualifier that went in Frances favor after Thierry Henry handled the ball twice before setting up William Gallas decisive goal.

The 77-year-old Hidalgo was in charge for eight years from 1976-84, losing a dramatic World Cup semifinal - also on penalty kicks - to West Germany in 82 following a thrilling 3-3 draw packed with drama as France threw away a 3-1 lead.

Hidalgo guided France to victory at the European Championship two years later in his final match in charge. France beat Spain 2-0 to win its first major trophy.

Hidalgos overall record in charge was 41 wins, 16 draws and 18 defeats.

The 58-year-old Domenech has so far won 41 games, drawn 22 and lost 11.

Hidalgos teams scored more freely than Domenechs - with 139 goals compared to 108 - but Domenechs defensive approach throughout most of his reign means his team conceded only 49 goals to Hidalgos 72.

FIFA says 100,000 World Cup tickets have been sold in less than two days as local fans make a late push to attend the tournament.

FIFA said Saturday that 14 matches were sold out, including the final, semifinals and South Africas group games.

An extra 90,000 tickets, mainly returns from FIFAs sponsors, were added to the pool on Friday leaving organizers with 160,000 to sell just two weeks ahead of the June 11 kickoff.

The release was hampered Friday by computer glitches. But fans have flocked to the centers for seats to big games like the July 11 final, which were previously unavailable.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said the tournament was approaching the 97-percent sales mark of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Valcke said FIFA was “very happy” with the response of the fans, some of which were in line for two days and had to wait an additional two hours after the ticketing system crashed.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter also addressed reporters for the first time since arriving in South Africa on Thursday.

Blatter visited the Peter Mokaba Stadium in the northern city of Polokwane on Saturday, one of three World Cup stadiums he had not seen since they were completed.

As FIFA officially took control of the newly built venue for the World Cup, Blatter stressed that world soccer ruling body had faith in South Africas preparations.

“All the world is focused on South Africa,” Blatter said, “and all the world will look at what happened in the African continent when, finally, there was an organization called FIFA that said we trust Africa. We trust South Africa with such a big competition.”

Blatter also visited the colorful Mbombela Stadium, with its black and white seats, in Nelspruit. He will travel to the 50,000-seat Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the south coast city of Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Its a line used as the name for a 1980s hit movie, lifted from the heavily played pop tune of the same name and era, penned by the Psychedelic Furs.

For Phil Mickelson, a child of the 80s hims sort of like the color. Hum along with us for a moment.

Support for the Mickelsons dominated Round 3 at Colonial last spring. (Getty Images)

Back to semi-defend his 2008 title at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial after missing last year while tending to his ailing wife, Mickelson was both flattened and flattered to learn that for the second straight year, the tournament will stage a Pink Out on Saturday to raise awareness for breast cancer, the affliction contracted a year ago by Mickelsons wife and mother.

The funny part, and there is ample room for doses of humor given the generally dreadful topic, is that if Mickelson makes the cut, hell don the hue himself, which he joked was a bigger emotional hurdle than the medical reminder the color serves to represent.

“Mentally the challenge for me is wearing pink,” Lefty said Wednesday before his pro-am in Fort Worth, “because I know I dont look good wearing pink.”

I can almost hear him cracking, “Hey, does this color make my butt look big?”

Guess he never heard that everythings bigger in Texas, including some folks hearts. Rest assured, of all the magnanimous gestures made relating to the Mickelson familys dual cancer fight, the 2009 Pink Out was atop the familys list. Cobbled together in approximately five days as a show of support for Mickelson, a Colonial winner who could not be on hand to offer a title defense, it promises to be dwarfed by this weeks offerings.

Take a bow, the hundreds of you who will wear pink bows in the DFW area. The utterly impromptu 09 event will seem like a happy accident by the time Saturday night rolls around.

“You know, last week Amy and I commiserated over our one-year anniversary and this event really helped us get through some tough times,” Mickelson said. “It meant a lot to us and gave us a huge emotional boost at a very difficult time for us. We will always remember that and be appreciative of that.”

Mickelson has won the Colonial title twice, but last years fight in absentia might ultimately result in his biggest victory of all. On Saturday, every player, caddie, PGA Tour official, tournament employee, marshal and fan is being asked to don something pink.

On the Texas plains, something resembling a sea of Energizer bunnies will replace the ubiquitous jackrabbit. Donations to the breast cancer fight will be made by the hotel sponsor for every birdie and eagle, and two downtown office buildings will be lit with pink lights on Friday night. For the week, 50,000 pink fans will be supplied to attendees to both stifle the Texas heat and help spread the word.

The wise whys and wherefores are downright alarming. According to data, every three minutes a woman is or approximately 210 over the course of tournament play on Saturday. At the completion of the third round, exactly 210 helium-filled pink balloons will be symbolically released behind the 18th green at Colonial. Bubbles and baubles aside, it should all help raise the collective consciousness.

The jaw-dropping numerical tally cited above doesnt count women outside the States, where rates also are rising. If youre over the age of 20, you probably know somebody who has been afflicted by the malady, like last weeks winner, Australian Jason Day. His mom had the disease and didnt tell him for months because she didnt want him to worry.

“I think it means a lot, just to make people aware of breast cancer,” Day said of Saturdays event. “Just to make sure that they get checked up regularly.

“But for Phil, obviously, he has the pink ribbon on his hat, and he shows that. The support that people show towards and feel for his wife Amy was just fantastic. I think everyone was praying that she was going to get through this and his mom as well.”

So far, Mickelson says the long-term prognosis is good for both. The doctors caught the disease early enough, though Amy has been effectively floored by treatments and has attended exactly one to Phils emotion-sapping win in April at the Masters.

The Mickelsons learned that her tests were positive for cancer shortly before he was set to defend his Colonial title last year. Ryder Cup teammate Steve Stricker won the title in Mickelsons absence and is anticipating some tear-inducing responses from the gallery this week.

Stricker, a popular guy, isnt talking about his personal return from a painful clavicle injury after six weeks off, either.

“I think he will have a great reception here,” Stricker said of Mickelson. “I think he will be very excited to be here. He is almost the defending champion as well this week.

Analyst David Feherty went head-to-toe pink to show where his heart was. (Getty Images) “I thought it was the greatest feel-good story in golf when he won at the Masters, and seeing Amy there, and being friends of both of them, and seeing Amy break down the way she did was pretty cool.”

For the Mickelsons, and maybe a few others, the Pink Out last year felt like a group hug.

“That was at a time that we were at an emotional low, and to feel that type of support meant a lot,” Mickelson said. “I know that every year a couple of hundred thousand women are diagnosed with this disease and I think a lot of them felt some emotional support as well.”

Maybe the sentimental wave this week will at last propel Mickelson to the apex of his career. As was the case two weeks ago at the Players Championship, Mickelson can climb to world No. 1 with a victory, a position he has never enjoyed despite being the second-winningest active player on tour.

“I think its one of those things you will look back on in your career if youve accomplished it, whether its one week, a year or whatever the time frame is, it would be something very special,” he said. “But to accomplish that, I cant focus on that. Thats a result. I still need to go out and play like the No. 1 player in the world, so Ive got some work to do.”

Grab a shovel and rake, bro, because the road is cleared. Tiger Woods, the man who, with only a few short-lived exceptions, has ruled the rankings roost since he turned pro, isnt entered.

“I would say 13 of those years were in Tiger years,” Mickelson lamented of his quest to be No. 1. “It hasnt been the easiest.”

Nor will his wardrobe selection on Saturday. Guys like rookie Rickie Fowler might look tolerable in fuchsia, magenta or salmon, but Mickelson, who turns 40 on June 16, usually gravitates toward darker hues. Hibiscus-tinted trousers are not exactly his thing.

But he can always make exceptions for worthy reasons. For instance, like on Sunday, when the winner at Colonial dons a particularly colorful champions sport coat.

As a new world No. 1, Mickelson wouldnt look half bad in plaid, would he?

Maria Sharapova needed only five games Friday to advance at the French she faces four-time champion Justine Henin.

Sharapova and Henin set up a third-round showdown by winning matches suspended overnight because of darkness. Sharapova finished off Kirsten Flipkens, 6-3, 6-3, and Henin beat Klara Zakopalova 6-3, 6-3.

A schedule backlog caused by rain created a parade of champions on the sixth day of the tournament. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Venus and Serena Williams were among those who advanced.

Now the champions start playing each other. Henin has a 6-3 record against Sharapova, but the Russian won their most recent meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Australian Open.

That was Henins last Grand Slam match before she retired. Now the Belgian is mounting a career comeback and playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2007.

Seeded 22nd, Henin has French Open winning streaks of 23 matches and 39 sets. The No. 12-seeded Sharapova is seeking the only Grand Slam title she has yet to win.

While Henin and Sharapova won quickly, Serena and Nadal did as well, taking the court on a sunny, cool morning. Both were done before lunch.

The top-ranked Williams won nine consecutive games and advanced to the third round by beating Julia Goerges 6-1, 6-1. Four-time champion Nadal lost serve only once and beat Horacio Zeballos 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

Williams won in 55 minutes and said such a rout can help her in later matches.

“I can learn a lot, like, OK, what am I doing today? How can I get them to all be like that?” she said. “Those are the questions that I ask and I try to answer.”

Venus Williams reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2006 by beating No. 26 Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 6-4. Once again wearing the lacy corset that has created the tournaments biggest buzz, Williams hit six aces and lost only four points on her first serve.

Serena and Venus are seeded 1-2 and wouldnt meet until the final.

“Were having so much fun at this time of my career, and you know, we just feel good,” Serena said. “Were doing the best we can, and were enjoying every moment.”

Nadal advanced in 1 hour, 45 minutes. He has lost only 13 games through two rounds and next faces two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, who outlasted Denis Istomin 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Hewitt improved to 30-14 in five-set matches.

The top-ranked Federer reached the fourth round by beating qualifier Julian Reister 6-4, 6-0, 6-4. Federer never faced a break point and lost only five points on his first serve.

Djokovic, a two-time semifinalist, overcame nine double-faults for a second-round win over Kei Nishikori, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

No. 9 David Ferrer, led 6-2, 6-2, 2-0 when Xavier Malisse retired with a left hamstring injury. No. 19 Nicolas Almagro, No. 22 Jurgen Melzer and No. 31 Victor Hanescu also advanced.

In womens play, Russian qualifier Anastasia Pivovarova, ranked 187th, upset No. 25-seeded Zheng Jie of China 6-4, 6-3. No. 13 Marion Bartoli also won. Unseeded American Jill Craybas lost to No. 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-1.

Serena, bidding for her first title at Roland Garros since 2002, played aggressively and still committed only four unforced errors to 20 for Goerges. Williams often moved two steps inside the baseline to smack returns, and she won 15 of 19 points on Goerges weak second serves.

Williams held every service game and sprinted forward several times to finish off points with swinging volleys.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion has won 41 consecutive second-round matches in major tournaments since losing in that round in her Grand Slam debut in 1998 to her older sister.

Nadal won with steady play from the baseline, committing only 12 unforced errors, and he also won 16 points at the net.

Seeded second, Nadal improved to 33-1 at Roland Garros, with his lone loss a fourth-round upset against Robin Soderling in 2009. He is 17-0 on clay this year.

Real Madrid finalized a deal to hire Jose Mourinho as coach Friday after reaching an agreement on compensation with Inter Milan.

The deal was announced after a meeting in Milan between Madrid president Florentino Perez and Inter counterpart Massimo Moratti.

Real Madrid said Mourinho will be officially introduced on Monday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He replaces Manuel Pelligrini, who was fired on Wednesday.

Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport said Madrid will pay ?16 million ($19 million) in compensation in two installments.

Mourinho confirmed he wanted to join Madrid after Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Spanish capital last Saturday to win the Champions League.

In two years with Inter, Mourinho led the club to two league titles, one Italian cup and its first European Cup since 1965. Before that, he led Chelsea to two Premier League titles. He also won the Champions League with Porto in 2004.

Despite having won nine European Cups, Madrids last Champions League triumph came in 2002.

Last summer, Madrid spent large fees on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema. But the team failed to progress past the first knockout round of the Champions League.

Inter Milan and Real Madrid have reached an agreement to allow Jose Mourinho to become coach of the Spanish power.

According to the Italian clubs website, Madrid president Florentino Perez flew to Milan on Friday for a meeting with Inter counterpart Massimo Moratti before returning to the Spanish capital.

“I dont know when Mourinho will arrive, but I am certain he will be our coach,” Perez said on Friday.

The first reports in Gazzetta dello Sport said that the Spanish club would pay Inter ?8 million ($9 million) compensation.

Later it emerged that Madrid will have to pay the full ?16 million ($19 million) as stipulated in the release clause in Mourinhos contract. Madrid will do so in two payments.

“After a certain period of time Real will have fully honored the clause in the contract,” Moratti told reporters.

Mourinho said he wanted to join the Spanish giants after Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 to win the Champions League.

In two years with Inter Mourinho has led the club to two league titles, one Italian cup and brought the club its first European Cup since 1965.

The situation came to a head on Wednesday when Madrid sacked coach Manuel Pelligrini. Reports say Mourinho is to be presented as Madrids new coach on Monday.

Despite having won nine European Cups, Madrids last Champions League triumph came in 2002.

Last summer the club spent large fees on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema. Madrid though failed to progress past the first knockout round, a major blow to Perez who hoped to see his team lift the trophy at the clubs Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Jose Mourinho is set to leave Inter Milan and become the new coach of Real Madrid.

The two European soccer powers reached a compensation agreement of $9 million.

According to the Italian clubs website, Madrid president Florentino Perez flew to Milan on Friday for a meeting with Inter counterpart Massimo Moratti. He then returned to the Spanish capital.

Perez says he doesnt know when Mourinho will arrive, but hes certain he will be the coach.