Jose Mourinho Departs Roma as Daniele De Rossi Takes Interim Charge
In a surprising turn of events, Jose Mourinho has officially left his position as the head coach of AS Roma with immediate effect, the club announced in a statement.
Mourinho, who took charge of Roma in May 2021 after departing Tottenham, secured the Europa Conference League title in his debut season with the Giallorossi.
The Portuguese manager continued to guide Roma to the Europa League final last season, narrowly losing out to the competition’s eventual winners. However, the current Serie A campaign has presented challenges for the Italian side, currently sitting in eighth place in the league standings.
Roma owners on Mourinho’s Departure
Mourinho’s final match in charge was a 1-0 defeat to fierce rivals Lazio in the Coppa Italia, a result that triggered robust self-defence from the 60-year-old coach amid media criticism.
In a statement, Roma owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin expressed gratitude for Mourinho’s tenure, stating,
“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. We wish Jose and his assistants all the best in their future endeavors.”
Daniele De Rossi has been appointed as the interim coach until the end of the season, with no option to extend the contract any further.
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The decision to part ways with Mourinho mid-season comes without a financial penalty for Roma, as the Friedkins will cover the remaining salary of the Portuguese coach. Mourinho’s contract was initially set to expire on June 30, 2024, and the remaining payout is estimated to be around €3-3.5 million.
What’s Next for Jose Mourinho?
As speculation surrounds Mourinho’s next move, the Portuguese tactician has hinted at potential opportunities in the Saudi Pro League, expressing an interest in contributing to the development of football in the region.
The unexpected departure of Mourinho marks a significant shift in Roma’s coaching staff, and the interim appointment of De Rossi adds intrigue to the team’s leadership for the remainder of the season.