Jose Mourinho is looking increasingly likely to leave Roma when his contract expires in the summer, so has the Special One’s time in the Eternal City been a success?
The 60-year-old Portuguese coach instantly excited the fanbase when he arrived in the Italian capital in the summer of 2021, sending passionate supporters across the streets of the Italian capital. A mural was put up in his honour and his arrival allowed fans to start dreaming of glory once again.
Mourinho’s first year in charge saw a number of highs and lows. He guided the club to their first ever major European silverware in the Conference League, picking up wins over Vitesse, Bodo/Glimt, Leicester City and Feyenoord in the knockout stages.
Whilst the Special One shined internationally, his work in Serie A was a little more lacking and the team ultimately finished sixth in the table, one point behind rivals Lazio and seven points behind fourth place Juventus.
Roma need Champions League football. Not only does the competition make them more attractive for possible transfers, it also provides crucial funds that the club need following their recent brushes with UEFA and Financial Fair Play.
Mourinho’s presence in the Roma dugout had another benefit as well. His status as a world-renowned winner has consistently caused fans to flock to the Stadio Olimpico and has also convinced stars like Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku to make the jump to the capital.
In his second year in charge, the Portuguese coach guided the Giallorossi to the Europa League final, which they dramatically lost to Sevilla on penalties. In the league, the team again suffered a sixth-place finish, still being seven points short of fourth.
Roma didn’t manage to impress in the Coppa Italia in his first two terms either, being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Inter in his first year and by Cremonese in his second.
Now, Mourinho finds him in a similar position in the Italian capital again. Roma sit eighth in the Serie A table, at the back of the pack fighting for a Champions League spot, and have qualified for the Europa League knockout playoffs. In the cup, the team fell to Lazio in the quarter-final.
His current contract expires with the Giallorossi in the summer and a new deal doesn’t seem likely at this stage. Should he fail to secure Champions League football in the coming months, would his time at Roma still have been a success?
With two consecutive European cup final, albeit losing them, I would consider it successful. I don’t think Roma ever made two consecutive finals.
losing one bobo.
would they have got to any euro final without Mourinho? probably no to definite no?
would anyone else done better in the league / coppa? Maybe 2 seasons out of 3 if they didnt get fired in the first?
and hurling a banner “You are not worthy of this shirt” is bit laughable then you was in any of the previous years?