ITV have defended their decision to cut short an interview with Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho following his side's Champions League exit.

The Portuguese coach suggested to reporter Gabriel Clarke that he could leave the Spanish giants at the end of the season before being abruptly cut off in order for ITV to air News at Ten.

A statement from the broadcaster said: "Our reporter Gabriel Clarke managed to land an unexpected interview with Jose Mourinho with only two minutes left before the end of last night's Champions League programme on ITV.

"At that stage it was too late to arrange an overrun of the broadcast beyond the allotted time. However, in a very tight, live situation, we showed as much as we possibly could of their exchange to viewers."

ITV were heavily criticised on social media websites by viewers after calling time on Mourinho's interview.