The Portuguese coach made the show after the defeat of “his” AS Roma in the Europa League final on Wednesday in Budapest. He also (more or less) talked about the future.
All good things come to an end… Even for José Mourinho. Undefeated in the European Cup final so far, with five successes in five participations, the “Special One” saw its beautiful series stopped on Wednesday: “his” AS Roma lost to Sevilla (1-1 ap, 1-4 tab) in the Europa League final, in Budapest. A bitter defeat for the Portuguese technician, who did not keep his finalist medal around for long. In fact, he offered it to a young supporter of the Louve club in the stands of the Puskas Arena! “I said before the final that it would be the cut or we would be dead. Well, we’re dead now, physically, mentally too, it was a tough match, high level, very competitive and very intense“, he said at a press conference, not failing to say how much he was”iron» of his players, «who gave everything“in this game”intense and very high level».
The former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter Milan coach also stressed that the Andalusian team was “more talented» than his, with «more solutions“. But what made the difference according to him, it is especially… Anthony Taylor, the referee of the match. “With this kind of arbitration, it’s hard“, he cursed, citing several examples, such as this forgotten cardboard, according to his judgment, for Lucas Ocampos on a simulation in the surface. He also felt that Erik Lamela should have received a second warning, the latter having converted his shot on goal. “I said to my players: “you can lose a match, but never your dignity”. They played and lost a game but we didn’t lose our dignityhe hammered. I have won five (European Cup) finals, but I have never been so proud as today. I have sometimes been happier, but never so proud. (…) Congratulations to Seville, congratulations to my players, who must be proud. They did everything they could.»
José Mourinho says he is ‘proud’ of his players despite losing to Sevilla. FERENC ISZA / AFP
Mourinho and Taylor will not go on holiday together
José Mourinho had not finished with Mr. Taylor. “We won’t be playing the Champions League next season, that’s good news. It’s paradoxical but it’s good news because we don’t have the C1 level yet. We still have to qualify for the Europa League next Sunday. We want to come back to Europe. As Taylor is a great referee, let’s hope he will only be in the Champions League, not in C3.“Mourinho, master of squeaky irony… Note that Roma are currently sixth in the Serie A standings, with one point less than Atalanta (5th) and one more than Juventus (7th). The “Mou” players will face Spezia on Sunday (9 p.m.), on the last day of the Italian championship. The fifth and the sixth will compete in the C3 and the seventh, the C4.
Mourinho ironic, Mourinho grating in the face of the press, yes. But Mourinho very angry in the passageways of the Puskas Arena. The 60-year-old coach got angry with Mr. Taylor before climbing on the bus. “It’s a fucking disgrace“, he asserted (see tweet above). “It’s a fucking shame“, In french in the text. Words that are reminiscent of those of Didier Drogba in 2009, after the semi-final return lost by Chelsea against FC Barcelona. Not sure that this behavior is to the taste of the European authorities. What if Mourinho was suspended at the start of the next European campaign? Not impossible. We should know soon. It remains to be seen whether it will be on the side of Rome… or elsewhere.
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I want to stay… if the conditions to do better are met.
Jose Mourinho
Admittedly, the double winner of the Champions League (2004, 2010) is still under contract for next season at the Olimpico. But the interest of Paris Saint-Germain is not frankly the best kept secret in Europe… And this even if Christophe Galtier is still under contract for a year and that the main interested party assures that he has not discussed with no club or selection for next season. Some sources suggest that Real are also in the running if Carlo Ancelotti leaves. Still, the native of Setubal has not made a sensational announcement about his future in front of the press. He even kicked into touch. “That’s not the topic tonight… What matters is the team“, he said.
José Mourinho delighted this young AS Roma supporter (left) by offering him his finalist medal after the defeat against Sevilla on Wednesday in Budapest. ODD ANDERSEN / AFP
José Mourinho, however, returned to the subject later, laying down his conditions for staying. “My players deserve better, I deserve better. I want to fight for more. I’m tired of being a coach, a manager, of communicating, of being the one who has to say we’ve been robbed. I’m tired of it all“, did he declare. And to add:I want to stay… if the conditions to do better are met.” Message received ? One thing is certain: he has no intention of packing and preparing for his move after the 38th day of Serie A.On Monday, I’m going on vacation and my things will stay in Rome. It’s probably time to talk to the owners, or the owners to talk to me“, he slipped. It’s a safe bet that he will not only speak to the leaders of AS Roma in the days and weeks to come. A phone call from his friend Luis Campos is obviously not to be excluded, even if multiple sources already mention contacts between the sports adviser of PSG and Jorge Mendes.
