BEHIND THE SCENES OF MOURINHO LEAVING ROMA: TENSION WITH CLUB OWNERS AND SOME PLAYERS

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, José Mourinho argued with Roma owner Dan Friedkin after learning he would be sacked but the Portuguese coach’s relationship with a few Giallorossi players was also far from ideal.

Roma announced Mourinho’s sacking on Tuesday morning and sources in Italy claim the Special One did not expect such a sudden decision from the club owners.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho was fuming when told he would be sacked on Tuesday morning. ‘He did not take it well at all,’ writes the Rome-based paper.

It is reported that Friedkin blamed Mourinho for ‘certain shortcomings’ but the coach hit back by mentioning promises the club owner hadn’t kept.

Corriere dello Sport confirms that Dan Friedkin had considered sacking Mourinho after last season’s Europa League Final against Sevilla and even following a 4-1 loss against Genoa this past September. The paper claims Roma owners never considered extending Mourinho’s contract beyond June 2024.

The Friedkins were not happy with Mourinho’s constant blaming of referees and complaints over the club’s transfer strategies, including a picture during the summer training retreat where he posed with his staff members, leaving a gap for the centre-forward they had not yet been able to sign.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho’s relationship with some players was also not ideal. He had reportedly argued with Chris Smalling in October and continued taunting the English defender for his poor fitness during the season. Smalling has only played three games this term and Corriere dello Sport suggests he will probably return to action soon, now that Mourinho is gone.

It is reported that Mou was not entirely happy with Lorenzo Pellegrini’s attitude recently and even Leonardo Spinazzola and Renato Sanches didn’t get along with the coach anymore.

The Portuguese midfielder on loan from PSG was replaced after just 18 minutes from his introduction from the bench in an away game at Bologna in December, while Mou angrily reproached Spinazzola inside the dressing room after a 2-0 loss in the same game at the Stadio Dall’Ara, leaving the Italy international unhappy.