José Mourinho is stunned by Roma fans and the way they support the team despite inconsistent results, suggesting they are even more impressive than those of Inter, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
The Special One released an interview with TV7, as quoted by Calciomercato.com, speaking about his relationship with Roma fans and players.
“More empathy means fewer problems. I’ve been in many dressing rooms, but empathy is so high here and mutual respect too,” he said.
“There is an open dialogue. I am not exactly a sweet person. I can be a sweet coach, but I can also be critical, aggressive and exigent. The more empathy you have, the more chances you have to play with a positive spirit and I am on really good terms with these people,” he said.
Roma lost a Europa League Final against Sevilla last season, but it ended in controversy with Mourinho furious with referee Anthony Taylor. The Portuguese coach complained on and off the pitch and even confronted the English official inside the stadium’s parking, leading UEFA to ban him for four games.
This means the Special One has not yet sat on the Roma bench for European fixtures this season. Nevertheless, Mourinho has positive feelings about the suspension.
“It made me feel like the man who represented all Roma fans,” he said.
“We haven’t lost many games without me, but I have staff members who work well, they are able to enter my mind and understand what I want at a determined moment. I don’t like to not be on the bench. It’s good to analyse games but it’s not for me.”
Most Roma fans are totally in love with Mourinho and the Stadio Olimpico has been sold out for almost all Giallorossi games since the Portuguese coach was appointed in 2021. Mourinho spoke about his rapport with Roma fans starting from their iconic Curva Sud.
“It looks good even when it’s empty. These people are amazing,” he said.
“I am often asked who the best fans are. I’ve had many great ones, Inter, Real Madrid, Chelsea, but they never really lost. Roma fans here continued supporting the team even when we were lose at minute 90 against Lecce. The game after a horrible defeat in Prague, the stadium was still full. These people are incredible.”
The Giallorossi will meet Udinese on Sunday and Mourinho briefly spoke about the upcoming Serie A fixture as well.
“It will be a very difficult game. Udinese defend with many players and are good at counter-attacking. I enjoyed their game against Atalanta and they beat Milan, which nobody expected. Roma-Udinese will be a tough, tough game.”