Roma star Tammy Abraham admits Portugal are courting José Mourinho but insists the Special One is only focused on Roma: ‘He’s the coach I need.’
The Portuguese Federation is said to have opened talks with Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, over a potential appointment as the national team boss.
Portugal reached the quarter-finals at the World Cup, sacking Fernando Santos and Mourinho is now the leading candidate to replace him.
Abraham is not surprised by the interest of the Portuguese Federation.
“He is a great coach and of course, everyone wants him,” He told Gazzetta. “It’s an honour that an important country like Portugal chases him. I am sure the coach is focused on Roma. We’ve read many things, but we didn’t talk about them and Mourinho has always tried to make us improve, we are focused on the season.
“I already said it in the past, to me, having him [Mourinho] here is like having an uncle,” added the England striker. “That’s how I’ve always seen the coach. He is a reference point and he wants the best from me, so he motivates me in every way.
“He tells me when I don’t play well and even when I do so, he is not satisfied. That’s what I need. A coach who always guides me.”
Roma beat RKC in a friendly on Thursday, a game that saw Abraham get his name on the scoresheet.
“It was all good in Portugal, we work hard and boosted our self-confidence,” he said. “Of course, winning is always nice, especially when you score. It’s a pleasure to score for Roma, a very important club in my life. We are optimistic ahead of the second part of the season, we are looking forward to starting again.”
The Giallorossi resume the season on January 4, at home against Bologna. They are 14 points below table leaders Napoli and three points away from the top four. Will Roma manage to earn a Champions League placement this term?
“We’ll do our best and we’ll see what happens, but I think so,” the striker concluded.