AS Roma Sacks Jose Mourinho After 2.5 Years

AS Roma have parted ways with head coach Jose Mourinho following a poor run of form.

The Giallorossi have won just one of their last six Serie A games, and sit ninth in the league; former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi has been named as Mourinho’s successor.

The Portuguese, 60, took over in May 2021 and led Roma to the Europa Conference League title a year later and the Europa League final in 2023.

But they are five points off Serie A’s final Champions League qualifying spot and last week were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by city rivals Lazio.

Maurinho also guided AS Roma to the Europa League final last season, where they were defeated by Sevilla on penalties. His contract was due to expire in June.

Owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin thanked Mourinho “for the passion and commitment he has shown” as boss.

“We will always have great memories of his stewardship, but we believe that, in the best interests of the club, immediate change is necessary,” they added in a statement.

After the cup loss to Lazio, Mourinho compared himself to Harry Potter, suggesting his profile was “raising expectations” for what Roma could achieve.

That result was followed by a 3-1 league defeat by AC Milan on Sunday which left Roma five points adrift of fourth-placed Fiorentina.

Mourinho has previously coached Portugal’s Porto, England’s Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, Italy’s Inter Milan, and Spain’s Real Madrid.

The 60-year-old Portuguese national won the top-flight UEFA Champions League twice, with Porto in 2004 and Inter in 2010.

credit; skysports, bbc