The Portuguese tactician led Inter to a Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia treble before leaving in 2010 to join Real Madrid.

Inter board member Marco Tronchetti Provera yesterday opened the door for Mourinho's possible return.

However, Paolillo said to Italian radio station CRC: "Ranieri is proving to be the coach that we thought he was, that is a great coach.

"Hence, Ranieri will remain at Inter until he wants to.

"Mourinho to Inter? Absolutely not.

"This period and this chapter says Ranieri, so it's useless to talk about things that don't make sense.

"Ranieri knows how to do his job very well and that is why we want to keep him."

Ranieri replaced sacked Giampiero Gasperini in October and has put Inter back on track following their poor start to the campaign.

The Nerazzurri have won their last seven league games to climb to fourth in Serie A, six points behind league leaders Juventus.

Ranieri and Inter did, however, suffer a reverse in midweek after losing 2-0 at Napoli to crash out of the Coppa Italia.

"We now need to focus on doing well in Serie A and in the Champions League," Paolillo said.

"We want to go as far as possible in the European competition.

"To reach the Champions League semi-finals would be a great achievement."

Inter, who face Marseille in the last 16 of the Champions League, visit Lecce on Sunday.