AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho has opened up on his disappointing spell as Tottenham Hotspur coach, saying they were the only former club he did not have deep feelings for.
The 60-year-old, who has coached 10 teams in a career that began in 2000, is close to guiding AS Roma to back-to-back European titles in next week’s Europa League final against Sevilla.
Mourinho underlined the importance of enjoying the final amid reports he could leave the Italian team, adding that he would be forever tied to Roma, but admitted the feeling was not the same when he came to his former club Tottenham.
The former coach of FC Porto, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United, who guided Roma to their first European title by winning the Conference League last season, says he feels no connection to Spurs.
Mourinho was sacked by Spurs in April 2021 after 17 months in charge and six days before the League Cup final they lost under caretaker manager Ryan Mason.
“I hope the Tottenham fans don’t misunderstand, but the only club in my career where I don’t have deep feelings is Tottenham,” Mourinho said as quoted by ESPN.
“Maybe because the stadium was empty, COVID time. Maybe because Mr Levy [Spurs chairman Daniel Levy] didn’t let me win finals and win trophies.
“But that was the only one, so after that — Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United — all the clubs I felt connected to.”
“I went to the streets many times in Italy and I found Inter fans. I went to London — not only Chelsea fans but also Man United fans. Real Madrid all over the world,” said Mourinho. “It’s about the feeling that gives you everything.
“People think, ‘You can’t love every club.’ Yes, I love every club. I love every club because I feel the opposite — they love me too. So with Roma one day it will be difficult but we will be connected forever like I was with all my previous clubs — apart from [of] Mr. . Levy.”
Mourinho’s comments came after Feyenoord manager Arne Slot ended speculation about a possible move to the Premier League club, saying he was in discussions with the Dutch champions over a contract extension.
Mourinho also said on Thursday that Paulo Dybala could miss Roma’s game against six-time champions Sevilla next Wednesday in Budapest.
The 29-year-old Argentine, who has scored 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, is yet to fully recover after picking up an ankle injury late last month.
“I don’t think he can play. To be honest, I hope he can come on the bench. This is the last game of the season although after that we have Spezia,” Mourinho told reporters.
“But for Paulo it will be the last game. I will be happy if Paulo can sit on the bench and play for 15 or 20 minutes. Dybala is still with the doctor.”
AS Roma travel to 11th-placed Fiorentina on Saturday before taking on the Spanish side in the Europa League final.
The Portugal coach said midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini will return to the final after missing two games through injury, but will miss the game against Fiorentina.
