Jose Mourinho insists Roma are ‘a top club even without victories’ with a great family atmosphere and ‘I am the one who should be thanking the fans.’
The coach has imposed a media silence since his two-match touchline ban in Serie A for a row with fourth official Marco Serra and will not hold a press conference ahead of this weekend’s game either.
However, he visited the Gregorian University to speak to Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, discussing subjects including Pope Francis and why football is a “cruel sport that excludes the weak.”
Mourinho won the Europa Conference League in his debut season and has reached the Europa League quarter-final, but has a particular description for this club.
“The easiest way to define a top club is to say they won a great deal and therefore are a top club. But there are also top clubs who have never won, and are great in terms of affection and social impact.
“Roma have this particular beauty to them, which is even more extraordinary when the local media try to divide us.”
With his future believed to be in doubt, Mourinho reiterates that his relationship with the supporters at the Stadio Olimpico is rock solid.
“I am the one who should be thanking the fans for all they have given me. In social terms, people need a reference point, which is not me but the club. This empathy, this sense of belonging, of family, that is what I enjoy here.
“At Roma there is this feeling of ‘we’re happy if we win, then if we lose we’re sad, but at least we’re together.’ You get that in families.”