ROME, Italy – In a surprising turn of events, AS Roma announced the departure of Jose Mourinho on Tuesday, marking the end of the “Special One’s” tenure with the Serie A club.
The decision comes midway through what has been a challenging third season for the Portuguese manager in the Italian capital.
Mourinho’s departure follows an emotional two-and-a-half years during which he secured the Europa Conference League (ECL) in 2022, breaking Roma’s 14-year trophy drought.
The club stated that Mourinho and his staff would leave “with immediate effect” due to the team’s subpar performance in Serie A.
AS Roma owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin expressed their gratitude to Mourinho, saying, “We would like to thank Jose on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for his passion and efforts since his arrival at the club. We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interests of the club.”
Rumors of Mourinho’s departure gained momentum after Roma’s disappointing 3-1 defeat against AC Milan on Sunday, leaving the team in ninth place in Serie A, five points away from the Champions League positions.
While Mourinho’s contract was set to expire in June, talks of an extension never materialized, leading to his departure.
Former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, is rumored to be the frontrunner for the coaching position.
Mourinho’s arrival at Roma in 2021 was unexpected, but he quickly became a fan favorite.
In his first season, he guided Roma to victory in the inaugural Conference League, ending the club’s trophy drought.
However, the team fell short in the Europa League final against Sevilla last season.
This season, poor results and performances, coupled with injuries and unsuccessful summer transfers, led to Roma’s struggles.
The club’s failure to qualify for the lucrative Champions League under Mourinho’s leadership posed financial challenges, especially considering the constraints of Financial Fair Play.
Daniele De Rossi, despite being an idol for Roma fans, has limited coaching experience, with his previous stint at SPAL lasting only four months and ending in relegation to Serie C.
The 40-year-old’s potential appointment adds an element of uncertainty to Roma’s coaching situation.
