Mourinho: ‘I don’t know if I’ll stay in Roma’

The loudest kept secret in Rome is that Jose Mourinho will not stay in the capital city after his contract runs out in June 2024. The Friedkin family, which owns the club, are reportedly not so thrilled with the famous coach, while the famous coach is not so excited to work for Gialorossi after three years. The American owners needed a big name after departing with Paulo Fonseca in 2021, and Jose Mourinho, freshly sacked from Tottenham, was the ideal person. Fonseca gave Roma one fifth and one seventh place, clearly not enough for the fans and owners. But with seven million euros per year, Mourinho gave them two sixth places in Serie A, one Europa Conference League title and one Europa League final. And now comes the last season.

Mourinho was a guest on TG1 tonight, and one of the first questions was if he talks to the owners about the contract extension.

“I spoke to the Friedkins, but not about a contract renewal. The last time I spoke to Dan was 10 minutes on the phone after the game with Lazio. I talked to Ryan last week” said Mourinho, replying ‘I don’t know’ when asked will he stay at the club. 

Mourinho to leave Roma at the end of the season

As always, the Portuguese tactician spoke of his successes in Roma and announced his desire to reach the European final again in his last year.

“In the history of Roma, it is the first time ever that the club reached two consecutive European Finals. Imagine how difficult that was. If you look at those who made it three in a row, you see some legendary sides. So I say: let’s give it a go!” said Mourinho.

It is speculated that the reasons why the Portuguese is not so keen or renewing his contract is the limits on investment caused by the Financial Fair Play settlement agreement with UEFA, which left him making a team out of academy products, free agents, loaned players and injury-prone footballers. Sky Sports transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio already said in October that Mourinho wouldn’t renew, while Roma’s correspondent Paolo Assogna added:

“There are some things about the Friedkins that Mourinho doesn’t like and some things about Mou that club owners don’t like. Therefore, right now, there are no hints that they will meet to discuss a contract extension, but in football, anything can happen”.