Jose Mourinho disagrees vehemently with Tiago Pinto, insisting ‘Champions League qualification would be more than a miracle’ for Roma and refusing to discuss his future.
The Giallorossi booked their spot in the Europa League Final against Sevilla and are still in the running for a top four Serie A finish too after this evening’s 2-2 draw with Salernitana at the Stadio Olimpico.
Both are routes to qualifying for the Champions League next season, but Mourinho was typically combative in his press conference when told that this was the target for their season.
“Who said the Champions League was an objective for Roma? I certainly didn’t. I always try to be honest, I don’t like to sell hot air, I never said Roma were a candidate for the Champions League places. When you are competing against the teams in front of us, it would be irresponsible to talk about the Champions League. I never did that.
“The only thing I am fighting for in the Final is the Final. There are coaches, players, clubs who only play one European Final in their lives and feel lucky. We are playing our second in a row. This is for me a great season, it will be historic regardless of what happens.”
When it was put to Mourinho that in fact Roma director of sport Tiago Pinto had spoken openly about Champions League qualification as the target for this season, the coach was clearly irritated.
“That’s his problem. We are friends, good friends, we can have different opinions. We can write history and want to continue doing it, but qualifying for the Champions League when spending €7m on the transfer market is more than history, more than a miracle. It’s Jesus Chris coming to Rome and having a walk around the Vatican.”
The Special One was then asked if this disagreement over realistic targets was pushing him towards the exit this summer, which prompted Mourinho to walk out of the conference.
“Goodbye, I’m going to have a two-day vacation and need to get a plane. Ciao Ciao.”