Jose Mourinho, last eight years with only one trophy lifted. With Roma
José Mourinho, who started the season at Fenerbahcece, is set to return to the bench, at Benfica. On May 4, 2021 he was made official as Roma’s new coach for the 2021/2022 season, taking over from compatriot Paulo Fonseca. It was with the Giallorossi that he would later win his 26th career trophy, the only one in the last eight years.
The start of his first year in Trigoria was promising, but starting at the end of September, setbacks began to arrive: the derby lost to Lazio, the heavy 6-1 rout in Norway against Bodo/Glimt and the home defeat against AC Milan, his first in Serie A after a long streak of 43 games. In the league, Roma stopped in sixth place – a position just above the previous season under Fonseca, and with only one more point. However, the season ended on a historic note: victory in the UEFA Conference League opener against Feyenoord, marking a return to success for the club after 11 years and the first European trophy for an Italian team since Mourinho himself won the Champions League with Inter in 2010.
The second season followed a very similar script: again no Champions League qualification and again sixth place in the league, but another positive European campaign. In fact, Mourinho managed to take Roma all the way to the Europa League final, but lost on penalties against Sevilla – his first defeat in a European final (excluding Super Cups).
His confirmation for a third season began to falter due to disagreements with the club. Mourinho spoke of a “miracle,” referring to the results achieved with a market limited to only 7 million euros, while the management was disappointed with the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League. As had already happened with Chelsea and Manchester United, his experience in the capital was interrupted halfway through his third year: on January 16, 2024, he was relieved of his duties, with the team in ninth place in the standings.
After two and a half years, 138 games played, 68 wins, 31 draws and 39 defeats – for a 56.8% success rate – Mourinho left Roma. With him, only one trophy, but a significant one: the UEFA Conference League.
