Mourinho uncertain about Roma future after Europa League final defeat

01 June 2023 - 09:30 By Reuters
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Jesus Navas of Sevilla FC celebrates with the cup after winning the 2023 Uefa Europa League final against AS Roma at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on May 31 2023.
Jesus Navas of Sevilla FC celebrates with the cup after winning the 2023 Uefa Europa League final against AS Roma at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on May 31 2023.
Image: Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho said he was uncertain about his future at the club after their 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat in the Europa League final against Sevilla on Wednesday.

The defeat meant Roma failed to qualify for next season's Champions League and prompted questions about whether the 60-year-old would remain in the Italian capital, having been linked with Paris St Germain.

“I have to fight for these lads and therefore not say objectively that I will remain,” Mourinho told Sky Sports Italia.

“I spoke to the club in December when I had that approach from the Portuguese national team.

“I have not had any contact with anyone else since then. I have a year left on my contract and this is the situation.”

It was Mourinho's first defeat in a European final, but he said he was proud of his team's performance and acknowledged the season had taken its toll.

“We're physically exhausted, mentally drained, feeling dead because we believe it's an unjust defeat with numerous debatable incidents.

“We are dead tired, but proud. I always say you can lose a football match, but never your dignity or professionalism.

“I lost this one, but I return home prouder than ever this time. The lads gave absolutely everything this season.”

Mourinho criticised referee Anthony Taylor, saying the Englishman showed too many yellow cards.

“It was an intense, masculine, vibrant game with a referee who seemed Spanish. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time,” he said.

“We are accustomed to the influence of referees in our games, it’s nothing new, but I didn’t expect it in a European final,” he added to DAZN later.


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