Jose Mourinho's time at Roma ends with a lot of murmuring and objection, but it was the right decision to sack the Special One
Italian giants AS Roma have announced the immediate departure of Jose Mourinho from the club, with reactions ranging from disappointment among his ardent followers to elation from his detractors.
The timing of the decision has caused a bit of a stir, while a debate rages on about whether there was truly a need for Roma to send Mourinho packing.
09:46 - 16.01.2024
AS Roma SACKS Jose Mourinho with immediate effect
It is the end of the road for Jose Mourinho at Roma as the club announces changes to its management
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Jose Mourinho: 3 coaches who could replace The Special One at AS Roma
AS Roma have decided to part ways with Jose Mourinho with Antonio Conte among the names in the frame.
However, some careful analysis shows that the club has taken the right decision, with these five reasons clearly showing why Roma’s chiefs had little choice but to sack the Special One.
Roma’s awful recent form
A significant factor in Mourinho's sacking was a string of poor match performances, most notably a defeat to AC Milan.
This loss was part of a series of poor results, including a run of 10 matches where they won only four times and lost four games as well, underscoring the team's inability to maintain consistent form under Mourinho's leadership.
Underwhelming league performance
The poor form that Roma suffered has been a recurring problem for the Gialorossi during Mourinho’s spell as manager, which has facilitated fluctuating success in league matches.
Despite leading the team to Europa Conference League glory and a runner-up position in the Europa League, AS Roma's performance in the Serie A league was lacklustre. The club found itself in a disappointing ninth place at the time of Mourinho's departure, falling short of the high expectations
Coppa Italia elimination
Adding to the league woes, AS Roma faced elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of their fierce rivals, Lazio, in the quarterfinal stage, where the Special One was sent off.
This defeat not only ended Roma’s quest for a domestic title, but the derby loss also hurt the club's prestige, giving Lazio a competitive and mental edge over their neighbours.
Disciplinary issues and fan backlash
Mourinho also faced disciplinary sanctions that led to him being barred from the sidelines during key matches, notably missing half of the games that Roma played at the San Siro due to suspension.
20:14 - 09.01.2024
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In total, Mourinho was suspended on seven separate occasions in Serie A and also received a European ban for his antics after the Europa League final loss to Sevilla.
Coupled with growing dissatisfaction among the fans, some of whom openly booed Mourinho, this indicated a loss of support and confidence both within and outside the club. The strain in Mourinho's relationship with the fans and his handling of disciplinary issues played a critical role in the decision to part ways.
Organisational direction and future outlook
The decision to sack Mourinho also stemmed from a broader consideration of the club's future direction and long-term goals.
The Roma management, led by Dan and Ryan Friedkin, expressed their gratitude for Mourinho's efforts but emphasized the need for an immediate change to align with the club's aspirations. This suggests a strategic pivot in the club's management and vision for future success.
The departure of José Mourinho from AS Roma marks a significant moment in European football. While his achievements, including the Europa Conference League title, are commendable, a combination of poor league performance, recent match failures, elimination from the Coppa Italia, disciplinary issues, and a shift in organizational strategy ultimately led to his sacking. As the club moves forward, it remains to be seen how this decision will shape its trajectory in the competitive landscape
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