Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes that he would have got the sack if his side had failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The La Liga champions made sure of their progression after drawing 1-1 with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The result saw City knocked out of the competition, and Mourinho feels that he would be out of a job if Madrid were in the same boat as the Premier League champions.

"I admire the fact that clubs support their manager," said Mourinho. "City is out of Champions League. But Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are very good teams and we knew a big team would be out.

"It is good that it was City because Roberto can work without any kind of problem I believe.

"If it was Real Madrid, the press wouldn't let me return to Madrid."

Madrid face Ajax in their final Group D match.