AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho has stated that he has no contact with any other club and he is very focused on leading his side to the Europa League title.
AS Roma will face six-time champions Sevilla in Wednesday’s final in Budapest.
The Portuguese coach has a year remaining on his contract with Roma but has been linked with his former club Real Madrid.
“I don’t have contact with other clubs, really,” said Mourinho. “I’m thinking about tomorrow and what we want to do, because we want to play.”
Jose Mourinho guided Roma to the European Conference League title last season, his fifth European title.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager is unbeaten in European finals but faces a side who won all six of the previous Europa League finals.
“History doesn’t play,” said Mourinho. “My colleague [Sevilla coach Jose Luis Mendilibar] thinks differently, I respect him. He believes history makes Sevilla favourites; I respect that. We are in the final because we deserve it, they have a history that we don’t have.” .
For them to play the Europa League final is normal, for us it is an extraordinary event. For their fans going to the final, it’s like going to the league, for us it’s unforgettable.
“The Seville players have more experience, but we have played together for two years.”
Mourinho believes his team is ready.
“We played 14 games to get here, we deserved it,” he said. “In the last few days, we have worked to be in a position to fight for the title.”
Roma forward Paulo Dybala is still bothered by the ankle injury sustained last month but is expected to feature against Sevilla.
The Argentina international has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions this season.
“Let’s say he has around 30 minutes he can give us,” said Mourinho.
Unlike Mourinho, Sevilla coach Mendilibar will play his first European final.
Mendilibar took control of Sevilla in March following the sacking of Jorge Sampaoli, and his contract expires in June.
“This is my first final, unlike my club, rivals and Mourinho,” said Mendilibar. “The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. We know how they will play and how we will play. Our idea is clear, and we are not going to change it.”
As for what he will do next season, he said: “I’m not worried one bit about my future. I signed a contract until June. I’m calm, I came from unemployment to Seville.”
