Chelsea’s centre-back Thiago Silva has revealed that he has had conversations with Paulo Dybala about a potential move to the Blues this summer.
Dybala, who has been heavily linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge, is reportedly a target for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino as he looks to strengthen his team’s attacking options.
According to reports from Football London, Chelsea has already reinforced their forward line with the signings of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.
However, the addition of Dybala could further enhance their squad.
The Argentine forward had an impressive season with Roma, contributing to 19 goals in his debut campaign under the guidance of coach Jose Mourinho.
Silva’s discussions with Dybala suggest that Chelsea is actively pursuing the player and exploring the possibility of bringing him to the club to bolster their attacking firepower.
Silva wants Dybala at Chelsea
Silva has further fueled speculation that Dybala is a wanted man at Stamford Bridge after revealing he has spoken with the Argentine over a possible move.
Metro UK reports that Dybala is currently in England on holiday and has been taking in some huge sporting events.
The Argentina international has since linked up with Silva, with the Brazilian defender expressing his desire to play with the forward at Chelsea.
“I saw Paulo Dybala here, they [the media] talk about him coming to Chelsea,” Silva told Sky Sport Italia, via Metro UK.
“I’ve talked with him and asked him if he is coming. He is a world-class player,” he added.
Mourinho on Dybala joining Chelsea
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that AS Roma boss, Jose Mourinho has broken his silence on reports that Chelsea are looking to sign Paulo Dybala this summer.
Dybala has spent just one season with Roma, having joined them in the summer of 2022 from Serie A rivals Juventus.
Reports claim the Blues are leading the race to sign the Argentine forward in the coming weeks.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho had the best of times at Real Madrid but ended things on a sour note after a famous dressing room bust-up, and it has now been revealed what transpired.
Mourinho spent three seasons in the Spanish capital, the second of which was a record-breaking La Liga season.
He is acknowledged to have built the foundation for the club’s successes years after his departure.
Los Blancos won the Spanish title in his second season, amassing a record 100 points and scoring an astonishing 121 goals in a season that also saw them reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.
According to 90min, Ronaldo had his best scoring time under his Portuguese compatriot. He scored 168 goals in 164 games and provided a further 49 assists.
Mourinho and Ronaldo’s fiery exchange
According to Guillem Balague’s book,Cristiano Ronaldo: The Autobiography, via Mirror UK, the manager did not appreciate the player taking a quick throw-in which was difficult for Mesut Ozil, and nearly put the win over Valencia at risk.
Ronaldo was unimpressed by being ‘talked down at’ and replied:
“After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me!”
The outburst is said to have left the dressing room stunned, with the situation descending into chaos as the two compatriots nearly came to blows.
It is also claimed that at one point, the Special One slammed Ronaldo for not being a team player.
“Just so you know, many think like me here, but don’t dare say it, they don’t have the [expletive] to tell you,” he is said to have shouted.
Mourinho left Madrid months later to return to Chelsea, and the two have not worked together since then.
Referee sacked after insulting Mourinho
Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported on Serie A referee, Marco Serra being dismissed by AIA ahead of the 2023/24 season after he clashed with Mourinho in February.
Serra was the 4th official during AS Roma’s game against Cremonese. He reportedly swore at Mourinho and told him to go home as no one takes him seriously any more.
Under his guidance, the team triumphed in the Turkish Cup, securing the club’s first trophy in nearly ten years. Additionally, he propelled the Istanbul giants to a notable second-place finish in the Turkish Super League, Al Jazeera reports.
Hilal’s busy transfer
In addition to appointing a new manager, The Blue Waves have strengthened their squad by securing the services of Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and the highly sought-after midfielder Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Al-Hilal’s lofty 2023-24 expectations
Jorge will be tasked with utilizing his extensive experience as the club aims to reclaim the Saudi League title from their sworn rivals, Al-Ittihad, in the upcoming season.
Additionally, as the former Benfica boss successfully ended Fenerbahce’s nine-year trophy drought, expectations are high for him to guide the club to a similar or improved performance in the FIFA Club World Cup, building on last year’s campaign where they narrowly missed out on the ultimate prize, fallingto Real Madrid in the final.
Chelsea defender joins Al-Hilal
Sports Brief earlier reported that Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly has completed his move from Chelsea to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
The 32-year-old signed a three-year deal to join the Saudi Blues after agreeing to leave London club Chelsea after just a season.
Koulibaly becomes the second signing from England in the summer transfer window by the Saudi giants, joining Ruben Neves, who arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Top stars who left Europe early
Sports Brief looks at seven other players, including Brazilian star Oscar, who may have left European leagues too early.
Wolves captain Ruben Neves is only an official announcement away from completing a mega switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
At 26 years of age, fans have questioned the move, but it is not the first strange move of his career. He left Porto to join Wolves in the Championship after becoming the youngest captain in the Champions League.
Reports suggest that Jose Mourinho has made contact with Manchester United’s troubled striker Mason Greenwood, expressing interest in bringing him to AS Roma.
Greenwood’s future in professional football remains uncertain as Manchester United has not provided a clear path forward following his highly publicized case last year.
The 21-year-old was temporarily suspended by the club following allegations of sexual assault and coercive behavior.
Although he was arrested and appeared in court, the Crown Prosecution Services subsequently dropped the charges against him.
The dropped charges technically allow the striker to resume playing. However, Manchester United has indicated that they will conduct their own internal investigations before clearing Greenwood for a return.
There have been reports suggesting that the club may consider loaning him out, and several clubs have shown interest.
According to Goal, AS Roma, under the management of Jose Mourinho, has entered the race for Greenwood’s signature, with Mourinho personally reaching out to the player.
Mourinho contacts Greenwood
The Special One is said to have reached out to the player’s father to discuss the possibility of a loan move to the Serie A.
“Jose rang Mason’s dad and also spoke with Mason. He told him the best way out of his current situation is to start playing football — and that, eventually, all the hassle will fade away,” a source told the Sun.
It was during Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford that Greenwood was promoted to the senior team and signed his first professional contract.
The Giallarossi are actively looking for a striker, with Tammy Abraham set to be out for at least nine months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Greenwood spotted training in public
This comes at a time when Greenwood was spotted training for the first time since he was arrested and arraigned in court last year. The striker has been away from competitive football for more than 15 months following his sexual assault charges.
Sports Brief reported that with his future in Manchester still in limbo, the 21-year-old has seemingly taken steps to get back into shape ahead of a possible return to professional football.
Following his rejection of a huge offer from top Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal to stay with the Serie A club, Jose Mourinho has reaffirmed his allegiance to AS Roma.
The Portuguese manager declined the invitation to join the Saudi Pro League at this point in his career after leading Roma to the European Conference League championship in his debut campaign.
According to Sportskeeda, football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, claimed that Al-Hilal offered Mourinho a whopping €30 million per season, which the Portuguese manager rejected.
The ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United manager, a two-time UEFA Champions League winner, turned down the proposal by the top Saudi Pro League club as he is focused on his job at Roma.
Mourinho, who still has one year left on his Roma contract, aims to continue building on the success he achieved with the Italian outfit after leading them to the Europa League final last season.
Mourinho gets 10-day suspension
Meanwhile, the Italian Football Authority have punished Mourinho with a 10-day suspension for his remarks criticising referee, Daniele Chiffi, the BBC reports.
The Portuguese tactician was also fined £43,000 for his remarks after Roma’s Mehmet Zeki Celik was sent off six minutes into stoppage time at the end of a 1-1 Serie A draw.
Last year was difficult for Mourinho on the sidelines: he was shown three red cards for altercations with referees, including one from Chiffi in Roma’s defeat to Atalanta in September.
Jose Mourinho quits UEFA role
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Mourinho quitting the UEFA Football Board via an official letter addressed to the European organisation’s Chief of Football, Zvonimir Boban.
The AS Roma manager conveyed his decision in a formal letter to UEFA’s Chief of Football, Zvonimir Boban.
While the exact reason for Mourinho’s departure remains undisclosed, the wording in his letter suggests that it may be connected to the lengthy ban he received on June 21.
This ban was a consequence of his verbal confrontation with match official Anthony Taylor following the Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla in Budapest last month.
A viral video showed the veteran tactician hurling insults at the English official in what looked like a parking lot. Taylor and his family were later confronted by Roma fans at the Budapest Airport.
In his letter to UEFA, Mourinho thanked the European governing football body for their invitation.
“In thanking you for the invitation you extended to me to be a member of the UEFA football board, I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will be renouncing my participation in this group.”
The Portuguese tactician stated plainly that the board was no longer following the ideals he believed in.
“The conditions which I so strongly believed in when I joined are no longer standing and I felt the obligation to take this decision. I kindly ask that you also communicate my decision to the President Mr. Aleksander Ceferin,” he said, as quoted by the Athletic.
Roma are expected to appeal against the ban once they get a full details of the judgement.
What is UEFA’s Football Board?
The board is comprised of a group of former players and elite coaches, brought together to tackle issues in the game of football, such as the laws and schedules.
As UEFA reports, the executive committee approved the board on April 24 and they meet in Nyon annually.
Apart from Mourinho, other coaches on the board include Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Gareth Southgate, and Ronald Koeman. Former players include Petr Cech, Gareth Bale, and Juan Mata.
Mourinho’s future at Roma
Sports Brief has also reported that Mourinho’s next coaching move remains unclear after AS Roma lost the UEFA Europa League final against Sevilla in a controversial manner.
The Portuguese veteran joined the Italians in 2021 on a three-year contract, but after two years of overachieving with limited financial backing, there are doubts he will continue.
Mourinho guided Roma to winning the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season in charge and reached back-to-back European cup finals in his second season.
UEFA has announced thatJose Mourinho, the manager of Roma, has received a four-match suspension in European competitions for verbally insulting referee Anthony Taylor following the team’s defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final.
The incident occurred when Mourinho confronted Taylor in a car park after Roma’s penalty shoot-out loss, following a 1-1 draw in Budapest.
Mourinho has been banned from “the next four UEFA club competition matches in which he would otherwise participate, for directing abusive language at a match official”, European football’s governing body said.
Roma have also been fined 50,000 euros ($54,744) and banned from taking away fans to their next European match “for the lighting of fireworks, throwing of objects, acts of damage and crowd disturbances”.
The Italian club were also fined 5,000 euros over the “improper conduct of their team” and ordered to “contact the Hungarian Football Federation within 30 days” due to damages caused by their supporters in the stadium.
Taylor was harassed by Roma fans at Budapest airport with his family the day after the controversial final.
An Italian man was charged with affray after the ugly clash.
Referees’ body PGMOL said: “We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing theUEFA Europa League final.”
Taylor booked 13 players, seven of them from Roma, while the bad-tempered game was littered with delays due to the unusually high number of fouls.
It was Sevilla’s seventh Europa League triumph and the first European final defeat of Mourinho’s managerial career.
Following Roma’s 2-1 victory over relegation strugglers Spezia in their final game of the season, Jose Mourinho appeared to convey his intention to stay at the club through a gesture to the fans.
The renowned coach’s unexpected arrival at Roma in 2021 came with a three-year contract, and he quickly won over the Giallorossi supporters by securing the Europa Conference League title in his debut season.
In his second season, Mourinho guided the team to their second European final, the Europa League, although they suffered a controversial penalty shootout defeat of 4-1.
Jose Mourinho confronts Anthony Taylor during the Europa League final between Sevilla and AS Roma. Photo by Clive Rose.
Speculation surrounds Mourinho’s future at the club, as several top clubs have managerial vacancies, while Roma’s lack of significant investment in the squad, under the watchful eye of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, adds further uncertainty. Nonetheless, Mourinho’s gesture hints at a potential continuation of his coaching journey with Roma.
Mourinho’s telling reaction to fans
Roma put the disappointment of the Europa League final loss aside, and will re-enter the competition next season after finishing sixth in the Serie A table.
According to Eurosport, Paulo Dybala scored a late equaliser from the spot to help Roma finish sixth and send his former club Juventus to the Europa Conference League next season.
As seen in a video shared on Twitter by La Roma 24, Mourinho was walking off the pitch when fans quizzed him about his future. His reaction suggested he would stay, after he pointed to the ground and waved back.
The former Chelsea boss revealed after the Europa League final that he will proceed on holiday today and hold talks with the club later.
He also revealed that Portugal’s national team approached him before they hired Roberto Martinez.
Mourinho risks lengthy ban
Sports Brief reported that Jose Mourinho risked lengthy ban after he ambushed English referee Anthony Taylor in the parking lot after the Europa League final.
Taylor had a poor outing, and Mourinho clarified his feelings by screaming explicit words at him. This could earn him a lengthy ban after an investigation by UEFA.
UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho following allegations of him verbally abusing the referee during the Europa League final against Sevilla.
Mourinho’s actions were captured on video as he was seen repeatedly referring to English referee Anthony Taylor as a “disgrace” during an expletive-laden outburst in the car park of the stadium in Budapest after Roma’s defeat in the final, which concluded with a penalty shootout.
Roma will also be charged after their supporters threw objects and lit fireworks and caused crowd disturbances.
Sevilla were charged with similar infractions.
Taylor booked 13 players, seven of them Roma players, while the bad-tempered game was littered with delays due to the unusually high number of fouls.
The English referee was then targeted by angry Roma supporters at Budapest Airport.
Referees’ body PGMOL said: “We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final.”
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has called for a ban to be imposed on Jose Mourinho for ‘indefensible’ behaviour during and after the Europa League final.
Mourinho lost his first ever European final on Wednesday, May 31 as Roma were beaten by Sevilla on penalties.
Mark Halsey, former Premier League referee
Mourinho was highly critical of referee Anthony Taylor throughout the game, and took his frustrations out on the English referee after full time in the car park.
A video doing rounds on social media shows an irate Mourinho muttering “You’re a (expletive) disgrace” in reference to Taylor’s performance in the Europa League final.
That was not the end of Taylor’s woes as the referee was swarmed by angry Roma fans at the airport as he was preparing for a flight back in Britain from Budapest, as reported on Sky Sports.
This series of events have divided fans online, with majority now turning on Mourinho, who they blamed for Anthony Taylor’s encounter with the fans.
Meanwhile, Halsey, who officiated in the Premier League from 1999 to 2013, believes a heavy ban should be imposed on Mourinho and Roma.
“Jose Mourinho’s attack on Anthony Taylor in the Budapest car park was indefensible,” Halsey wrote as quoted on Express Sport.
“Fines and touchline bans are not a deterrent, so I hope Europe’s governing body acts,” added Halsey.
“The level of abuse towards officials is evident in Europe and in English football and points deductions are the only answer. The FA revealed this week they are bringing this punishment into grassroots football but it should start at the top.
According to the former Premier League referee, Sevilla and Roma should also be slapped with a three-point deduction from their next European campaigns.
“I would also ban Mourinho, wherever he goes, for six games because of his unacceptable conduct.” He went on.
Mourinho congratulated Sevilla coach before final penalty
Sports Brief also reported on an interesting incident that saw Mourinho congratulated the Sevilla manager before the penalty shootout was over in the Europa League final.
During the shootout, Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel stepped up, but his first effort was stopped by Rui Patricio.
Anthony Taylor, however, ordered the penalty to be retaken after replays showed the keeper was off his line before the ball was struck.
Just before the Argentine went in for his second attempt, Mourinho approached the Sevilla huddle and congratulated opposition coach, Jose Mendilibar.
The group representing referees has strongly denounced the “abhorrent” abuse directed atAnthony Taylor in Budapest.
Following Taylor’s controversial performance in the Europa League final, where he refereed the match between Sevilla and Roma, he and his family faced harassment from angry fans at Budapest Airport.
The referees’ group condemned the behavior as unacceptable and reprehensible. Videos circulating on social media captured the incident, showing Taylor and his family trying to navigate through the crowd.
In the match itself, Taylor issued a total of 13 yellow cards, with seven of them given to Roma players, and the game was frequently interrupted due to a high number of fouls.
Anthony Taylor was accosted by fans on his way home from the Europa League final in Budapest (Adam Davy/PA)
A chair and a bottle were thrown in the direction of the referee and his group.
Taylor and his family were eventually led out of a cafe and into a secure area by airport security.
The English official was also targeted by Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who was seen gesticulating at Taylor and calling him a “disgrace” in a profanity-laced tirade in the stadium car park after the match.
Responding to the incident at the airport, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said in a statement: “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
“We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final.
“We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family.”
Refsupport UK added: “This is so, so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are ok.
“This is why we believe organisations like the LMA_Managers and the PFA as well as the WeAreTheFSA need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country.
“Managers’ comments and players’ behaviour encourage this and it is on a worrying rise where a serious incident or murder is just around the corner.”
UEFA is awaiting Taylor’s report before deciding whether to take action against Mourinho for his rant.
Taylor booked Mourinho during the game, which finished 1-1 after extra time before Sevilla won on penalties.
It was Sevilla’s seventh Europa League triumph and the first European final defeat of Mourinho’s managerial career.
UEFA is currently waiting for the match official’s reports before making a decision on whether to take action againstJose Mourinho regarding his outburst towards referee Anthony Taylor following Roma’s loss in the Europa League final, according to the PA news agency.
After the penalty shoot-out defeat to Sevilla in Budapest on Wednesday night, Mourinho expressed criticism towards Taylor during his post-match press conference.
Additionally, video footage circulating on social media captured the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager gesturing towards Taylor and other officials in the stadium car park, accompanied by him uttering the word “disgrace.”
Taylor booked Mourinho during the game, which finished 1-1 after extra time before Sevilla sealed their seventh Europa League triumph by winning 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out.
Tempers simmered on and off the pitch in a disappointing final, with 13 players shown yellow cards, seven of them to Roma players, while fourth official Michael Oliver had his work cut out to keep control of both dug-outs.
The game was littered with delays, with a total of 25 minutes’ stoppage time added to the 120 minutes of playing time.
Mourinho lost for the first time in his sixth major European final, while Sevilla extended their record number of tournament wins following previous successes in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020.
Sevilla won their seventh UEFA Europa League title on Wednesday night in Budapest after defeatingAS Roma in the championship match.
Paulo Dybala scored first, but Gianluca Mancini’s own goal negated it, forcing the three-hour gritty contest into the dreaded penalty shootout.
After a difficult season, Sports Brief looks at the five lessons learned from Sevilla’s defining moment.
Sevilla remain unscathed in UEL
The Andalusian club is to the Europa League what Real Madrid is to the UEFA Champions League. This was their seventh triumph in their seventh final in Europe’s second-tier club competition.
After going down in the first half via a perfectly struck Paulo Dybala goal, Sevilla clawed back into the game after recess and never looked back until the final spot kick was converted by Gonzalo Montiel, the man who scored Argentina’s World Cup final-winning penalty.
At this juncture, it is safe to say that the La Liga club are the landlords of this competition, and have every right under the sun to feel entitled to winning the trophy anytime they make the final.
Mourinho loses impeccable final record
Jose Mourinho had to surrender his perfect record in European finals to Sevilla in Budapest when his Roma side lost on penalties. The defeat was Mourinho’s first-ever defeat in the grand finale of a European competition.
After inspiring the Giallorossi to Conference League success, the club’s maiden European trophy, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss was seeking to become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs, but Sevilla had other ideas.
The defeat means Mourinho’s gamble of putting all his eggs in one basket failed this time. There will be no European nights in the Eternal City for Mourinho and his charges next season- that is, if he still remains at Roma.
Mendilibar’s tactical masterstroke
José Luis Mendilibar, only in the Sevilla job for three months and on a mission to rescue a team threatened by relegation, was coaching his 965th game, but only his fifth in Europe. The experienced gaffer weaved his tactical magic to inspire a comeback which was completed by their penalty shoot-out success.
But before then, his raft of changes in the second half proved to be a masterstroke. Sevilla’s blunt attack in the first half was replaced with unerring precision with the introduction of Lamela and Suso, which resulted in the equalizer.
The 62-year-old became the fourth manager to win this trophy with Sevilla, per the Guardian.
Controversy rocks final
A gruelling night of European action continued for three hours and past midnight to determine the winner between Sevilla and AS Roma.
Like almost every other final, the game was rocked with controversy. First, referee Anthony Taylor had to overrule his initial penalty call in the 75th minute after a VAR review.
The Englishman then became an ‘enemy’ to the Romanistas, who felt they deserved a penalty of their own after a cross struck a Sevilla defender’s hand.
As if that was not enough, Gonzalo Montiel’s initial missed penalty was retaken, much to the chagrin of Mourinho and his charges, who levelled expletives at the referee and his officials after his side lost.
Mourinho throws medal away
Jose Mourinho has been accused of having a ‘sour loser’ attitude, and this was epitomized by his moment of ‘madness’ when he rushed ahead of his players to take his silver medal, before throwing it into the crowd.
To be fair, the Portuguese tactician had invested his all in the final and was banking on his proven track record in such games.
Mourinho throws away medal
It was therefore understandable how and why Mourinho vented in such a manner.
The medal was caught by a lucky young fan in the stands. This is not the first time the ‘Special One’ has pulled such a stunt.
He also threw his Premier League winners’ medal into the stands after guiding Chelsea to their first English top-flight success after five decades.
After hisAS Roma team suffered a defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Jose Mourinho reacted by throwing his runners-up medal into the crowd moments after receiving it on May 31.
The match saw a first-half goal by Paulo Dybala countered by a Gianluca Mancini own goal, leading to a penalty shootout.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s save on Mancini’s penalty, along with Roger Ibanez hitting the crossbar, secured Sevilla’s victory and maintained their flawless record in the Europa League final.
It was the first time that Mourinho had lost a European final and the Portuguese manager was, as expected, not impressed about it. Bizarre scenes rocked the medal awarding ceremony when Mourinho broke ranks with his team and went for his medal alone.
Jose Mourinho throws away his runners-up medal to a fan after losing the Europa League final to Sevilla on May 31. Photo by Jonathan Moscrop.
Source: Getty Images
The 60-year-old left his team behind and rushed to the podium to pick his silver medal even before the match officials could be feted. As soon as the medal was hung around his neck, ‘the Special One’ removed it and made a beeline for down the tunnel.
He was then spotted throwing his medal away, which was caught by a young fan in the stands. UEFA officials led by President Aleksander Čeferin then gave the medals to match officials before the rest of the AS Roma squad followed.
Mourinho lashes out at Anthony Taylor
Sports Brief has also reported that Mourinho was spotted hurling obscenities at match referee Anthony Taylor. Mourinho was far from unhappy with some of the decisions made by the English referee.
A video has now surfaced online where Mourinho is heard shouting expletives. The insults are said to have been directed at Anthony Taylor and his team.
“You are a (expletive) disgrace.”
Jose Mourinho confronts Anthony Taylor during the Europa League final between Sevilla and AS Roma. Photo by Clive Rose.
Premier League referee Taylor made a couple of controversial decisions during the game. He first awarded a penalty to Sevilla after Luis Ocampos had been brought down. However, after a VAR review, he rescinded the decision.
Similarly, one could argue that, the duoJose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola share a similar dynamic, having clashed during their El Clásico encounters in Spain and subsequently crossing paths again in Manchester.
They rank highly in the list of the most successful coaches alongside the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson. There has always been loads of respect between the two, but once in a while, a subtle dig is always sent out.
Like what fans believe happened after Mourinho guided AS Roma to another European final on Thursday.
The Special One masterminded another defensive masterclass to see off Bayer Leverkusen to set up a final against record winners Sevilla. This came just a day after Guardiola had equally qualified for his second Champions League final as Manchester City boss.
Pep(R) and Mourinho
What Mourinho said about Guardiola
Mourinho, however, appeared to insinuate that his achievement was much greater than Guardiola’s, given the strength of the squads both have to work with.
The Giallorossi’ haven’t been the luckiest of teams as far as injuries are concerned this season.
“The only teams that do not suffer are those exceptional teams that they have on the bench €40million or €70million players.
Mourinho in a post match interview
If you look at City’s semi-final, they brought on Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez in the second half.
“If we lose four or five players then we suffer. That is natural. At Roma, we have players out injured and others who have not had transfer fees must come in. We invested €7million in the market and we are in the final. What we have done is extraordinary,” as quoted by the Mirror.
The comment opens up an interesting spectacle. Should both managers win their finals, the two veteran managers could meet in theUEFA Super League later this year.
Mourinho slammed for ugly tactics
Sports Brief also reported on criticism Mourinho received for his tactics against Bayer Leverkusen.
Roma frustrated Bayer Leverkusen in Germany to draw the second leg 0-0 and qualify on an aggregate score of 1-0.
At the Bay Arena on Thursday night, it was a vintage Mourinho performance. His side had zero shots on target as they defended resolutely for the entire 90 minutes.
There were also rampant cases of time-wasting, with the Roma players going down at intervals, much to the frustration of their opponents.
Following Roma’s hard-fought victory against Bayer Leverkusen, Jose Mourinho praised his players, referring to them as “warriors.”
The Italian side entered the match with a one-goal lead, understanding that a draw would secure their spot in theUEFA Europa League final after Edoardo Bove’s debut European goal in the previous leg at Stadio Olimpico.
Mourinho adopted a cautious strategy for the game at Germany’s BayArena, effectively frustrating Leverkusen, who were managed by his former player Xabi Alonso, despite their dominance throughout the match.
Jose Mourinho
The manager’s admiration for his team’s resilient performance was evident as he described them as warriors.
According to Sports Illustrated, Giallorossi earned a place in the final against Sevilla, who are 100% in the Europa League finals, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on May 31.
Mourinho filmed Roma’s dinner
The team hosted a dinner at the team hotel shortly after the game. The 60-year-old filmed it and uploaded it on Instagram with an interesting caption.
“The warriors are eating, I’m too tired for that. See you tomorrow Roma,” he captioned the video.
One thing which can be made out of the video is that the television was showing a replay of the game they had just finished, which earned the players the game warrior from the manager.
Mourinho reveals next ambition
It would take a miracle forRoma to make the top four in the Italian Serie A. They are six points behind fourth-placed Lazio with two games to go in the season.
The team could play Champions League football next season if they beat Sevilla, which is Jose’s next target.
“The final? I think of it as any other final. We want to bring the trophy home,” he told DAZN via Roma Press.
Mourinho slammed for ugly tactics
The Special One is a master of dark tactics, famously dubbed Parking the Bus. As Sports Brief reported, fans slammed Mourinho for his tactics against Leverkusen.
His team were totally dominated. The Germans enjoyed 72% of the possession and played 23 shots to Roma’s one, which was off-target, but could not find a way through.
Former Chelsea star and EPL winner, Lenny Pidgeley, who played for Jose Mourinho, has retired from football and is now employed as a gardener.
When the former custodian joined the Blues as a teenager in 2003, he had the entire world at his feet.
The young custodian was quickly chosen by Mourinho, who had recently transferred from Porto to Chelsea, for his side during the 2004–2005 campaign.
However, it was nearly a given that Pidgeley would not have a significant role that season given the presence of Petr Cech.
Be that as it may, Mourinho still found a place for him on the bench during Chelsea’s League Cup triumph in 2005.
The former goalkeeper went on to make his Premier League debut towards the end of the campaign as the Blues went on to lift the Premier League trophy.
Incredibly, John Terry is said to have even gone out of his way to ensure Pidgeley received a winners medal.
Lenny Pidgeley’s career hits nosedive
However, that is as far asit went with Pidgeley’s career at Chelsea. According to The Sun, the Englishman left Stamford Bridge in 2006 after just two appearances and went on to join Millwall on loan.
After then, he became a journeyman with several lower-tier teams, including Woking, Carlisle United, Bradford City, Exeter City, Newport County, Mansfield Town, Leatherhead, Forest Green Rovers, Hastings United, and Margate.
He would later wind up his career at Farnborough, where his manager infamously announced the goalkeeper’s retirement from football in 2018.
Lenny Pidgeley’s struggle with depression
It is understood that Pidgeley’s football career came to a screeching halt just three months after he had penned a deal with Farnborough.
According to reports, the ex-keeper’s retirement came after a struggle with depression.
“The manager had made me feel so small and suggested it was all my fault if they lost, because I couldn’t play,” Pidgeley told FourFourTwo.
He called out his former manager for stealing his moment in retirement – a moment he believes every professional has the right to.
“That could have tipped somebody else over the edge, but luckily for me I had the coping mechanisms in place to put it to one side,” he added.
More than four years after Pidgeley’s retirement, the former Chelsea star is now working as a gardener – a career switch he has found fulfilment in.
“It’s tempting to wonder how different it could have panned out if I wasn’t one of the thousands who suffer from depression, but I am where I am and I’m finding peace,” he recently admitted.
Kante hints at Chelsea future
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that N’Golo Kante has made a decision over his Chelsea future amid speculation he could depart at the end of the season.
The Frenchman’s current deal with the Stamford Bridge side is set to expire this summer, with his contract situation sparking fears he could leave for free.
Kante has been one of Chelsea’s most influential figures since his arrival back in 2016 from Leicester City, with his latest comments hinting at his plans.
Jose Mourinho, the manager of AS Roma, has addressed recent reports linking him to a potential move to Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming summer transfer window.
While PSG is on the verge of securing their 11th French league title under current coach Christophe Galtier, his position is reportedly in doubt following the team’s underwhelming exit from the Champions League in the round-of-16 stage, extending their wait for a coveted European trophy.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports reports that Mourinho has been touted as the potential replacement for Galtier.
The veteran Portuguese tactician has been contacted by PSG’s top hierarchy owing to his superior man-management skill and ability to handle players with big egos.
Reacting to the reports, Jose, who is in the final year of his contract with Roma, appeared to laugh at the reports linking him to PSG.
“If they called, they didn’t find me, I’ve never spoken to them,” Mourinho told Sky Italia via GOAL.
Meanwhile, the 60-year-old is preparing his Roma side for their Europa League semi-final assignment against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, May 11.
Roma’s top-four hopes suffered a massive blow after their 2-0 loss to Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, a game played with a depleted squad due to injuries.
The team were 1-0 down at half-time. The Special One gave an inspiring team talk to the young players at half-time, which spurred them to victory.
PSG contact Mourinho
Sports Brief previously reported that Jose Mourinho is a proven winner and it is no surprise the veteran Portuguese manager is now on the radar of Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG are desperate to win the UEFA Champions League and the club’s latest setback in the last-16 first-leg tie against Bayern Munich has got the French club looking for options.
PSG’s sporting director Luís Campos has contacted his fellow countryman and AS Roma head coach Mourinho as they look to replace Christophe Galtier.
Jose Mourinho, one of the most successful managers in modern football, is reported to have cried only once in his managerial career, according to reports.
Despite the highs and lows of his lengthy career, the Portuguese tactician has earned the nickname “The Special One” due to his impressive managerial achievements.
Over two decades, he has won a staggering 27 trophies, according to Sportbible.
Mourinho’s most recent triumph came in Rome in 2022, when he helped Roma win the inaugural Europa League Conference trophy.
The Serie A giants defeated Feyenoord 1-0 in the final of the competition, marking Mourinho’s fifth European title success. At the time, the 60-year-old was spotted shedding tears of joy.
Jose Mourinho in tears after breaking win record
Although Mourinho has had many moments of success, he has also experienced disappointment throughout his career. In 2012, he watched his Real Madrid side crash out of the UEFA Champions League in the semi-final stage, causing him to cry for the first and only time after a defeat in his managerial career. Speaking to Marca in 2020, Mourinho revealed that he wept after the defeat but acknowledged that it was a part of football.
“Cristiano, Kaka, Sergio Ramos… three complete monsters of football; there’s no doubt about that, but they’re also human,” he said. “That night was the only time in my career as a coach that I’ve cried after a defeat. I remember it well… Aitor [Karanka] and I pulled up in front of my house in the car, crying… It was very hard because we were the best that season.”
Kaka and Sergio Ramos
In addition to his achievements on the pitch, Mourinho has a reputation for making sly comments and criticisms towards other managers. Recently, he took a dig at Maurizio Sarri, the manager of Lazio, Roma’s cross-city rivals. The two teams are currently competing for a top-four finish in Serie A, and with only a handful of games left to play, the race is intense.
Jose Mourinho and Sarri Maurizio
Mourinho’s team was initially part of the top four, but that changed after Juventus’ 15-point reduction was reversed by the league.
Despite his reputation for controversy, Mourinho’s impressive managerial record cannot be denied. His ability to win trophies and guide his teams to success has earned him a place among the greats of modern football.
Although he may have shed tears of joy or disappointment only once in his career, Mourinho’s passion for the sport and his determination to succeed remain a constant.
Mourinho began his managerial career in 2000 with Benfica, but he only spent a short time at the club before moving to Uniao de Leiria, where he spent two seasons. In 2002, he moved to Porto, where he enjoyed his first major success, winning the UEFA Cup in his first season.
After winning the Portuguese league title two years in a row, Mourinho moved to Chelsea in 2004, where he made an immediate impact. He won the Premier League title in his first season, setting a record for the most points in a season and the fewest goals conceded.
He also won the League Cup in his first season, and the following year, he won the Premier League title again, as well as the FA Cup.
In 2007, Mourinho left Chelsea and moved to Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title in his first season. The following year, he won the treble, which included the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League.
Mourinho then moved to Real Madrid in 2010, where he won the La Liga title in his second season.
Arne Slot, the manager of Feyenoord, and Jose Mourinho were involved in a misunderstanding on April 20 after Mourinho’s AS Roma team eliminated Feyenoord from the Europa League.
As Mourinho seeks a second Europa League championship, Roma defeated the Netherlands team in extra time to go to the semifinals.
Paulo Dybala’s goal forced extra time, where the Giallorossi added two more goals to further humiliate Feyenoord, saving them from elimination with just two minutes remaining.
The two sides met in the final of the inaugural UEFA Conference League last year, where a Nicolo Zaniolo strike ensured Mourinho continued with his impeccable record in cup finals.
Feyenoord had hoped to exact their revenge over Roma this year, only for Mourinho to better them once again. Before the game, Slot had indicated that he prefers to watch Napoli or Manchester City games compared to Roma’s games.
The comment did not go down well with Mourinho, who is seen in video footage chasing down Slot in the tunnel, demanding to be respected.
“You look at Napoli and Manchester City, but you should be watching us!”
Mourinho will now meet one of his former players when they take on Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals. The winner of that tie will play the winner of Sevilla vs Juventus in the final.
Mourinho’s Roma emerged victorious on April 20 thanks to a comprehensive 4-1 victory, albeit via extra time.
It almost looked like Feyenoord had found a late winner in the 80th minute through Igor Paixao, but Paolo Dybala forced the game into extra time with a strike in the dying minutes of the game.
The UEFA summit slated for Monday, to solicit expert input into crucial topics such as the VAR and handball will host a star-studded panel of Europe-based legends. They will be urged to “protect the game of football”.
The 24-member UEFA football board now includes famous ex-players Paolo Maldini, Luis Figo, Gareth Bale, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Laudrup, Philipp Lahm, and Robbie Keane in addition to coaches Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, and Fabio Capello.
There is one non-European on the board, with Inter’s Argentine vice-president Javier Zanetti joining a throng that also includes former Germany team-mates Rudi Voller and Jurgen Klinsmann, plus Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, Rafael Benitez, Patrick Vieira and Eric Abidal.
The noticeably all-male board will hold its first meeting at UEFA’s European House of Football headquarters on Monday.
European football’s governing body said the group will “give an institutional yet independent voice of experience and expertise on fundamental football-related topics”.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “UEFA is delighted to see that the very ones who have shaped the game’s history with their talents and philosophy through decades are gathered again around our common goal – to protect the game of football and its essential values. As we always say: football first!”
“No one understands it any more,” Ceferin said. “So we really need a conversation here, finding solutions and clarifying some issues.”
He said that would be an issue for the football board to look at, and it was confirmed on Thursday as being on the agenda for the meeting, along with discussions about the video assistant referee system, player behaviour and medical issues.
UEFA said its technical director and chief of football Zvonimir Boban would chair Monday’s meeting, although he is not a member of the new board.
⚽ A stellar line-up of players, former stars and elite coaches will assemble at UEFA HQ on Monday for the inaugural meeting of the UEFA Football Board.
Find out who is involved and what will they discuss: ⬇️
UEFA football board members: Jose Mourinho (Portugal), Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Zinedine Zidane (France), Paolo Maldini (Italy), Fabio Capello (Italy), Javier Zanetti (Argentina), Luis Figo (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Ronald Koeman (Netherlands), Gareth Southgate (England), Rio Ferdinand (England), Michael Laudrup (Denmark), Rafael Benitez (Spain), Roberto Martinez (Spain) Predrag Mijatovic (Montenegro), Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany), Rudi Voller (Germany), Petr Cech (Czech Republic), Juan Mata (Spain), Robbie Keane (Republic of Ireland), Patrick Vieira (France), Henrik Larsson (Sweden), Eric Abidal (France), Gareth Bale (Wales).
The Giallorossi overcame Feyenoord 4-2 on aggregate at Stadio Olimpico, securing a meeting with Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals.
Roma was on the verge of elimination after Igor Paixao’s header negated Leonardo Spinazzola’s earlier goal as they trailed 1-0 from the first leg.
But Dybala, who was introduced as a substitute after missing Sunday’s victory over Udinese through injury, levelled the tie with a sharp turn and finish forcing extra time, in which further strikes from Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini sealed the deal.
It was the former Juventus forward’s 16th goal of the season and fourth in the Europa League – a tally only bettered by Marcus Rashford, Victor Boniface (both six) and Santiago Gimenez (five) – and his exploits drew praise from his head coach.
“My feeling is that he was seeking the joy, he had lost more than confidence,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.
“He found it here. He has found a coach who understands him, a crowd that loves him and a space on the field in which to be a leader with his quality and personality.
“I gave him absolute freedom to come on tonight, and he could come off even two minutes later if he didn’t feel up to it.
But he played 30 minutes of extra time and 25 minutes regular, and he finished on a high.”
Meanwhile, Dybala also paid tribute to Mourinho who, having guided Roma to the Europa Conference League title last season, is closing in on a sixth triumph in European competition.
“I think everyone knows Mourinho, his history, what he’s done in Europe and at every club he worked at, I think he won something,” the forward added.
“His mentality fuels you. He knew the game could end up like this and pushed us to give something more.
He changed the tactical system, we started playing better and dominated extra time for a deserved victory.
“I think we all want to win, which is the most important thing. We have a coach with an incredible mentality. He told us the game would be like that, and he was absolutely right.
“This squad won the Europa Conference League last season, so they know what it takes to win. Now, we hope to go all the way in the Europa League too.”
Following Saturday’s vital 1-0 victory for his Roma team at Torino, Jose Mourinho could not help but take a shot at Serie A rivals Juventus.
When Milan and Inter drew on Friday, Paulo Dybala’s eighth-minute penalty gave the Giallorossi all the points they needed to move into third place.
Juve’s 2-1 loss at Lazio left the Bianconeri with 44 points, nine fewer than Mourinho’s team, but the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager is not sure that will still be the case.
The appeal Juve lodged against their 15-point penalty for transfer fee irregularities will be heard on April 19, meaning the top-four picture could eventually look very different.
Speaking after the win in Turin, Mourinho did not care about the quality of the performance, just the three points, before referencing Juve’s situation.
“Matches are won when you score one more goal than your opponent,” he told DAZN. “This is the goal not only in football but in sport: you have to win by trying to exploit your qualities and try to hide the problems.
“We are third in the standings? Are we sure that Juve don’t have 59 points? We are in Italy.”
Since 2004-05, Dybala (11 goals, six assists) is only the second player to score more than 10 goals and record more than five assists in a debut season for Roma in Serie A, after Mohamed Salah in 2015-16.
Roma have nine league games remaining as well as their upcoming Europa League quarter-final against Feyenoord, and Mourinho is hopeful of success on both fronts despite what he sees as squad limitations.
“The opponent that worries me the most in the Champions League fight? Ourselves, the fact that we want to think like a great team but we have a squad with limits,” he said.
“We have three games a week and it’s hard for us, but I’m not capable of thinking small. We go ahead from game to game.
“I’m not able to say that Udinese is less important than Feyenoord – let’s think game by game. Today we didn’t score a second goal, otherwise the game would have been completely different.”
After two league defeats to Sassuolo and a derby defeat to Lazio, AS Roma under Jose Mourinho’sleadership defeated Sampdoria 3-0 at the weekend.
The Italian capital club’s victory brought them closer to the top four thanks to goals from Stephan El Shaarawy, Paulo Dybala, and Georgino Wijnaldum.
There was an ugly incident during the game. The visiting team went down to 10 men after Colombian midfielder Jeison Murillo was shown a red card, and head coach Dejan Stankovic reacted furiously.
Racist chants from Roma fans met his reaction.
According to Football Italia, Mourinho gestured to the fans to stop the chants and spoke on the incident in defence of his former player after the game.
Roma fined for racist chant
Jose Mourinho’s intervention during the game was well acknowledged by an Italian sporting judge, who decided on the incident and was lenient on the club.
“Roma have been fined €8,000 following insulting chants towards the opposing coach by the entirety of supporters in Curva Sud.
The sanction is mitigated because chants were not repeated after the active intervention of their coach,” the judge said in a statement via Tutto Mercato.
Speaking after the game, the Special One expressed disappointment at the fans. He claimed to have grown a thick skin against such behaviours andurged Stankovic to do the same.
The Serbian thanked his former boss and claimed not to have paid attention, and further expressed pride in his gypsy roots.
Lukaku sent off for celebration
In another development, there was an incident of racism in Italian football last night in the Coppa Italia game between Juventus and Inter Milan.
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku endured a difficult evening from the Old Lady fans before he scored from the spot in the closing stages to finish the game levels.
Sports Brief reported that Lukaku was sent off for excessive celebration after doing shush to the fans who had abused him throughout the game, much to the disappointment of many football viewers.
When Jose Mourinho was dismissed for the third time this season during a Serie A match against Cremonese on February 28, it made headlines.
Mourinho frequently makes headlines, but this time he was enraged at fourth official Marco Serra, whom he charged with being biassed against AS Roma’s upcoming opponents.
Serra is a native of Turin, and Roma was to play Juventus right after. Mourinho was later given a two-game suspension, but he was still eligible for a match against Juventus.
With regard to Serra, The Special One had vowed to use the legal system.
Serra to officiate Serie B
In a new interesting development, Serra has now been demoted to Serie B, with the 40-year-old now set to officiate the upcoming match between Venezia and Como.
Romapress reports that it is unknown whether he will be officiating in the second tier henceforth or if it is just a temporary measure.
It is also unknown whether his clash with Mourinho had anything to do with his perceived demotion.
The Special One has never been shy to square up with referees and before the Cremonese red card, he had already been sent off in games against Atalanta and Torino.
Roma resume their push for Champions League football this weekend with a home game against Sampdoria.
Mourinho’s contract situation
Sports Brief previously reported that in his first season in charge, Mourinho won the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma, having finished seventh in Serie A the season before.
The Special One is approaching the final year of his deal in Rome and is still courting interest from top European clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, as well as the Brazilian national team.
Mourinho has received limited backing from the Roma hierarchy in the transfer market, spending only €9 million despite winning a trophy and qualifying for Europa League in his first season.
One of the greatest and most effective coaches of his time is Jose Mourinho. In the media, he is not afraid to explain his position to players and club executives.
He unexpectedly agreed to a three-year contract to manage the Italian club AS Roma in 2021, just a few months after being fired by Tottenham.
After Roma qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season as manager and after they had placed seventh in Serie A the year prior, he took home the championship.
He is approaching the end of his contract with Rome and drawing interest from elite European teams, including former clubs Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the Brazil national team, according to GIFN.
Mourinho’s demands from Roma bosses
The Special One has received limited backing in the transfer market. Despite winning a trophy and qualifying for Europa League in his first season, Transfermarkt reports that he spent €9m on improving the team while recouping €67m from sales.
Paulo Dybala, Nemanja Matic, Andrea Belotti and Ola Solbakken were free transfers while securing loan moves for Georgino Wijnaldum and Mady Camara.
According to Sky Sports, Mourinho has issued demands to the Roma bosses, which could influence his stay at the club.
He demanded a new centre-back, a new midfielder and a new striker to take Tammy Abraham’s place as he could return to England.
Mourinho’s message to Roma board
Sports Brief earlier reported that Mourinho sent a transfer message to the Roma board with his comments about Bayern Munich’s squad depth.
Speaking to the media after Roma’s 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, the former Chelsea boss compared his bench to that of the German giants.
Erik Ten Hag didn’t require much thought or time to realise that, in order to end Manchester United’s six-year trophy drought, he needed to win a trophy in his first season.
The Red Devils’ first trophy since the 2017 UEFA Europa League they won under Jose Mourinho was the 2023 Carabao Cup, which the Dutch manager led them to by defeating Newcastle United 2-0 in the finals.
The victory has brought relief to the supporters who think the former Ajax manager can move the team forward after showcasing his abilities in a short period of time.
Usain Bolt, a three-time world champion in athletics and a lifelong supporter of Manchester United, shared the same opinion after speaking with the manager and attending the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Fulham.
What Bolt told Ten Hag
The Jamaican athlete met Ten Hag after the chaotic victory that ensured the club’s progression to the FA Cup semifinals and has now opened up on the conversation in an interview with PA via Independent.
“I actually asked him about who we’re going to bring in the summer and he was like ‘do you have any ideas?’.
It was a nice, simple but fun conversation,” he said. “The first thing I said to him was ‘thank you’. That’s the first thing I said and he was like ‘thanks for what?’ I was like ‘for bringing the glory days back’.
The former FC Twente boss has been consistent in laying down his principles of hard work and consistently reminding the players that they are fighting for a purpose which is trophies.
This philosophy is already visible to fans. “It feels good to watch Manchester now. The team is together, they’re as one. They’re working together, they’re working hard and you can see the purpose now, you can see the determination in the way they play,” Bolt added.
“I was very happy with his progress and I can tell that he’s going to do a lot more. We have a lot more trophies in our future so I’m excited.”
Bolt enjoyed the match as it went the way he had wanted, and the scoreline was what he had correctly predicted, as revealed by Manchester United’s official website.
He endured difficult times at Old Trafford, often disrupted by injuries and inconsistent performances which made him a villain in the eyes of United fans.
The French international rejoined Juventus for the second time on a free transfer at the end of last season, after Man United brought his time there to an end after a six-year relationship.
Pogba dropped for disciplinary reasons
Pogba made his second debut for the Bianconeri on February 28 in the Turin derby against Torino, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury that ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup, as reported by Goal.
As reported by Sky Italia, the Frenchman has been dropped from the squad to face SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League later today after he turned up for Wednesday’s retreat late, much to the anger of manager, Massimiliano Allegri.
Fan reactions to Pogba’s indiscipline
The 29-year-old is no stranger to disciplinary issues, having previously clashed with Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese manager’s time with the Red Devils. This famously led to the Special One calling the World Cup winner a ‘virus’.
@jennaGottFans_ wrote: ”Why is he like this? Man that is amazingly talented but still finds a way to sabotage himself”
@prettycachy wrote: ”This was what was said about him in Manchester United”
@Danny_UTD7 wrote: ”A player with a lot of talent but lacks discipline, so sad”
@whitefooty wrote: ”Jose Mourinho told us all about his character”
Last year, he angered Allegri during injury rehab by undertaking a very risky personal activity while on holiday.
Pogba uploaded a video of himself on a ski trip despite nursing a knee injury that delayed his second Juve debut.
Pogba upsets Allegri with adventure As Sports Brief previously reported, this was not the first time Pogba has been in trouble since his returnto Juventus.
If Paris Saint-Germain truly has any aspirations of one day winning the UEFA Champions League, they should hire either Jose Mourinho or Diego Simeone.
Bayern Munich eliminated PSG in the round of 16 of Europe’s most prestigious club competition, causing them to experience heartbreak once more.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Mills told Talk Sport that the Parisians could only become European champions with a managerial change that included the appointment of Mourinho or Simeone.
“If PSG want to win the Champions League, there are two managers out there that they have to go for. One is Diego Simeone, because I think if you give him the tools for the job defensively, they’ll be so good.”
PSG appointed Christophe Galtier as manager this season, but the Frenchman looks destined to be on his way out after another disappointing Champions League campaign.
Galtier addresses his PSG future
Meanwhile, Galtier has admitted his future may be out of his hands following PSG’s early elimination from the UCL by Bayern Munich, PM News reports.
He blamed defensive errors for the Parisians’ loss to the Bavarians, after a 2-0 loss to the Bundesliga titans at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
The loss ensured back-to-back last-16 eliminations for PSG, who have played 137 Champions League games without lifting the trophy.
Galtier laments Champions League exit
Sports Brief also reported on PSG coach, Galtier admitting their only option was to accept their latest early Champions League exit and move on.
The Frenchman insisted the outcome of the last-16 tie against Bayern would have been different had the visitors scored first in the second leg.
Jose Mourinho will miss two games due to his incident on the touchline after Tuesday’s 2-1 loss for Roma against Cremonese.
After a contentious altercation with the fourth official barely two minutes into the second half, the Roma head coach was dismissed for the third time this year.
Mourinho sat in the stands as Daniel Ciofani’s late penalty gave Cremonese their first league victory of the season and their first in Serie A in 26 years after Leonardo Spinazzola’s goal had nullified Frank Tsadjout’s opening goal for the hosts.
Mourinho will now be subject to a two-match suspension and a $10,000 fine as a result of his decision to continue arguing his point with the referees in their locker room following the conclusion of the game.
A statement from Serie A said that the Giallorossi boss will be banned for “having contested a refereeing decision in a forceful and provocative manner in the second minute of the second half and repeating this behaviour at the time of sending off.
“Furthermore, for entering the referees’ dressing room and addressing the fourth official with offensive expressions and inferences at the end of the match.”
After the game, Mourinho defended his actions that saw him sent off for an altercation with the fourth official.
“I’m emotional but not crazy. For the first time in my career a referee has spoken to me in an unjustifiable way,” he said.
“To have the reaction I had is because something happened. I need to know now if I can do something from a disciplinary point of view.”
The ban will see Mourinho miss Sunday’s clash with Juventus and Roma’s home game against Sassuolo on 12 March.
Roma sit fifth in Serie A after Wednesday’s defeat, one point behind rivals Lazio in fourth.
The 35-year-old, who retired from professional football last year, talked about his interactions with some of the coaches and teammates he played with during his 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge in an interview with Dubai Eye 103.8.
The winner of the 2013 Nations Cup also revealed some fascinating information about the warning signs that the club’s manager would be fired at a time when the team wasn’t doing well.
“We always had a meeting with Roman (Abramovich) once the team was not doing well. He comes in and has a chat with us (team), he sits down, and everybody sits.
“He had this guy who was his friend and interpreter, so he starts shouting and screaming in Russian and then goes off and says you guys go back now and play football and start winning.
“If we don’t do that, the next time he comes in, he flies in with his helicopter to the training ground and that is it, we know that the manager is gone.”
The ex-Super Eagles captain worked under eleven managers at Chelsea, including top football managers like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Antonio Conte.
He made 249 appearances for the Blues, winning the EPL, UCL, Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup.
In 2004, Jose Mourinho set out his stall early at Chelsea.
“We have top players and, sorry if I’m arrogant, we have a top manager,” said the Portuguese in his first press conference at the Premier League club, not long after he had led Porto to Champions League glory.
“Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one.”
Devilishly handsome, with a wicked charm and natural bravado. Men wanted to be him. Women wanted to well… you get the gist. Not only did Mourinho talk the talk, but he walked the walk, winning the EFL Cup and the Premier League in his first season.
That was Chelsea’s first domestic title in 50 years, and at the time they broke the record for the most points in a Premier League season (95) and fewest goals conceded (15).
Mourinho was, indeed ‘The Special One’ and it’s undoubtedly his most famous quote.
But there are plenty of others. To celebrate his 60th birthday, here are some classic Mourinho moments.
Announcing himself in England
With seconds left on the clock in a 2003-04 Champions League last-16 tie, Mourinho’s Porto needed a goal at Old Trafford. “If we don’t score we are out, if we score we are in, these are the details of the knock-out,” Mourinho told UEFA in 2015, when reflecting on that night in March 2004.
Benni McCarthy saw a long-range free-kick parried out by Tim Howard, and Costinha was on hand to hammer home and silence the crowd. As his players charged towards one of the corners to celebrate, Mourinho leaped off the bench and cantered down the touchline, arms aloft. By full-time, he was already heading down the tunnel.
“We were in the dressing room, and it didn’t look like it was the last 16, it was like it was the quarter-finals,” Mourinho recalled. “Then someone knocks on the door, and it was Sir Alex [Ferguson] and Gary Neville, the captain, and they told us congratulations, you deserved it, enjoy it and good luck.
“It was something that in Portuguese culture we are not used to, but it’s something I kept and during my career I did it a few times, when some opponent did something magnificent against my team. I kept something from big people, that can make others feel special.
Wenger wars
Mourinho enjoyed a fierce rivalry with Arsene Wenger during his first stint in the Premier League, and even went as far to suggest the Arsenal boss was something of a voyeur.
“There are some guys who have this big telescope to see what happens in other families. He must be one of them,” Mourinho said.
Parking the bus
You would be forgiven for thinking the term “parking the bus” had been common footballing parlance in Britain for many, many years. However, it was Mourinho who first introduced it, after his Chelsea team were held to a goalless draw by Tottenham.
None too happy with Spurs’ defensive approach, Mourinho said: “They brought the bus and left the bus in front of the goal as we say in my country.”
In October of last year, the phrase “park the bus” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Too many medals
It must be nice when you’ve won so much you can throw medals away. That’s just what Mourinho did after he had guided Chelsea to a second straight league title in 2006.
The success marked Mourinho’s fourth straight domestic title, and after being presented with his winners’ medal, he threw that and his suit blazer into the stands. He was quickly presented with another medal; that, too, ended up in the crowd.
The knee slide
During Mourinho’s second season at Real Madrid, a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal saw off Manchester City in the Champions League group stages, and Mourinho celebrated like only he can, jumping from the bench and sliding to his knees.
It was a match that also saw former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher reprimanded by police in the crowds. Rock ‘N’ Roll on and off the pitch.
Mourinho’s time at Madrid unravelled the following campaign when he fell out with key players, including Ronaldo. “Maybe he thinks that he knows everything and that the coach cannot improve him anymore,” Mourinho said of his compatriot.
I prefer not to speak…
Mourinho’s second stint at Chelsea bore a league title in the 2014-15 season, but also proffered a quote that has lived on as an online meme and a viral clip ever since.
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in March 2014, with his team having Willian and Ramires sent off, and seeing a goal disallowed. Mourinho, too, was sent to the stands.
“I prefer not to speak,” he told Sky Sports. “If I speak I am in trouble, big trouble, and I prefer not to be in big trouble. If I speak, I am accused of bringing the game into disrepute.”
Mourinho went on to speak about the referees for a few more minutes.
Gerrard’s slip
Mourinho famously ‘shushed’ Liverpool fans in an encounter with the Reds during his first spell at Chelsea, and it was his team that dealt a severe blow to Liverpool’s title hopes in the 2013-14 season.
In April 2014, Liverpool had just three games left and held a three-point lead over Manchester City. Yet a slip from club great Steven Gerrard allowed Demba Ba to pounce and put Chelsea ahead.
Chelsea netted a second late on, leading Mourinho to charge down the touchline and celebrate in front of the Kop. City went on to win the title.
Respect, respect, respect
Mourinho’s time as Manchester United manager ended in typically volatile fashion, and the signs were there from the start of the 2018-19 season.
Following a 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham, Mourinho delivered a scathing response to his doubters as he stormed out of a press conference.
“Just to finish, do you know what was the result – 3-0,” Mourinho said while holding up three fingers. “It means 3-0. But it also means three Premierships, more Premierships alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me, two for them. Respect, respect, respect.”
The Dele warning
Mourinho’s words of advice to Dele Alli were featured prominently in the Tottenham-focused All Or Nothing documentary series, aired in 2020.
“I am 56 now and yesterday I was 20. Time flies. One day I think you will regret it if you don’t reach what you can reach,” Mourinho, then at Spurs, told Alli.
“I am not expecting you to be the man of the match every game. I am not expecting you to score goals every game. I want just to tell you that you will regret it. You should demand more from yourself.”
Less than 18 months after the documentary aired, Alli’s Tottenham spell was over, moving to Everton on what was initially a free transfer at the age of 25. Six months after that, he was in Turkey with Besiktas, where he has been heavily criticised for his performances.
History maker
As Mourinho celebrates his 60th, one thing cannot be denied – he will go down as one of the best managers to ever grace the game.
He joined Roma in 2021 and does what he does best. He won.
Last year, Roma won the Europa Conference League, making Mourinho the first coach to complete the UEFA treble by winning the Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League, and Europa Conference League (in place of the defunct UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup).
He was the fifth manager to reach the final of all three current major European competitions and the first to reach a major European final with four different clubs.
Mourinho’s record speaks for itself. Of his 1,076 games as a coach, he has won 677 (62.9 per cent), with his teams scoring 2,082 goals.
Despite the Giallorossi’s 1-0 victory over Genoa on Thursday, Jose Mourinho, the head coach of Roma, has called the Coppa Italia “the worst cup in Europe.”
Paulo Dybala’s 64th-minute winner helped Mourinho’s team advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday, setting up a matchup with the victor of the Napoli-Cremonese round-of-16 match.
But in light of Torino’s shocking 1-0 victory over AC Milan in extra time on Wednesday, which advanced them to the round of eight where they will play Fiorentina on the road, the Portuguese star was critical of the Coppa Italia format.
“First of all, I’ll say I would love to win it, I won it once playing against Roma, I would love to win it playing with Roma in Rome,” Mourinho told Sportmediaset.
“I think it’s the worst cup in Europe, it doesn’t protect the smaller teams. It doesn’t put on a show.
“I’m talking about Torino for example who win on the pitch of the Italian champions Milan, then they have to play the next elimination game away from home, I don’t understand this structure of the Coppa Italia.
“We played against a Serie B team with a full stadium, if there are empty stadiums they must understand why we are full and the others are not.
“Last year we finished sixth, the year before we finished seventh and I want to invest in the Coppa Italia, but a lower team doesn’t want to play, what motivation do these people have?
“Torino won against the Italian champions, they made great history in the Round of 16 and they have to play away. Where is the beauty of the Coppa Italia? It would be nice to play on a Serie B or Serie C pitch, where is that? Because people accept it.
“The next elimination game will be either in Naples or at home with Cremonese, if we lose like last year, we’ll lose, but we’ll try to win. For a squad like ours, playing three competitions together is very hard.
“There’s too much build-up for people of more quality, it’s a big risk to play three or four players who don’t play all the time or to put so many kids together, I could have done Bove-Tahirovic but I didn’t.
“If we want to win the Coppa Italia I won’t say we want to, because everyone wants to, we will try to win the next game of the tournament.”
Roma, who have advanced to the Europa League knockout round playoffs, bowed out in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals last season to eventual winners Inter.
Roma head coach Jose Mourinho is set to take over as the next boss of Brazil, according to former Selecao international Carlos Alberto.
Brazil are on the lookout for a new head coach after Tite stepped down, as planned, following Brazil’s disappointing defeat to Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals last month.
Mourinho is one of a number of names reportedly in the frame, while the 59-year-old has also been touted as a possible target for Portugal following Fernando Santos’ departure, though Roberto Martinez seems to be the frontrunner for that job.
Carlos Alberto, who won the Champions League under Mourinho at Porto, says he has been offered the chance to work alongside the Portuguese as part of Brazil’s coaching staff.
“I was going to drop a bomb here, but I can’t,” he told the Mundo GV podcast. “Maybe [Mourinho] is the coach of the Brazilian team. I’m speaking first hand. It’s information.
“It doesn’t matter where the information comes from, I’m giving you the information… because he even invited me [to be his number two].”
Mourinho led Roma to the inaugural Europa Conference League title last season – the Italian side’s first European trophy in more than 60 years.
That was Mourinho’s fifth continental triumph, with the former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United and Tottenham boss having won both the UEFA Cup/Europa League and Champions League on two occasions.
Roma are sixth in Serie A after winning just one of their five matches either side of the World Cup break. They did fight back to draw 2-2 with Milan at San Siro on Sunday, however.
Speaking last week, Roma director Tiago Pinto insisted he expects Mourinho – under contract until the end of next season – to stay on at Stadio Olimpico.
“When you get a coach like Mourinho, you must be accustomed to rumours,” Pinto told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“This was the first time in 18 months that a club or a federation were interested in him. We had no distractions at our training camp in the Algarve, we were only focused on work.
“I am Portuguese and every time we change coach, Mourinho is mentioned, but we count on him for the future.”
Kalidou Koulibaly implored Chelsea players “to look each other in the eye” with the Blues players the only “culprits” for the increasing pressure on Graham Potter.
Head coach Potter became the first Blues manager since Jose Mourinho in 2015 to lose three consecutive Premier League matches following a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
The tepid nature of the Chelsea showing offered more reason for concern after the Blues managed just seven touches in the opposition box, their lowest since January against Manchester City.
With Potter’s side eight points adrift of the Premier League’s top four, albeit with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham, Koulibaly urged his team-mates to take responsibility for their recent form.
“It hurts, we came here to take three points,” the Senegal international told Canal Plus.
”We knew that they were in a good moment, that they are putting on the intensity and that especially at home they have their audience behind them.
“Today, Chelsea are not in their place and the only culprits are us. So we must look each other in the eye and continue to work to put Chelsea in their place.”
The World Cup break could come at a good time for Chelsea as the Premier League pauses, with the Blues not in action again until a home clash with Bournemouth on December 27.
Koulibaly will head to the Middle East with Senegal, who are in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands, though he hopes Chelsea can atone for their mistakes after the break.
He added: ”The break comes at a good time for us, we need to recharge the batteries, think about something else and come back after the World Cup with a different mentality.”
Cristian Volpato’s decision on his international allegiance is a personal one that “should not be sped up”, Roma head coach Jose Mourinho has said.
With the 18-year-old scoring two goals and contributing one assist in just 106 minutes of Serie A football for Roma, a fierce battle for Volpato’s services at international level has emerged.
Born in New South Wales, Volpato is also eligible to represent Italy and has featured at youth level for the European side.
Australia had hoped the lure of World Cup football, with the Socceroos tackling France, Tunisia and Denmark in Group D in Qatar, would persuade Volpato to select his country of birth – with European champions Italy not qualifying for the tournament.
However, Volpato rejected the call-up, not wishing to rush into a decision, and Mourinho believes it was the right call.
“I think it is a personal decision and the club has not been involved. As a coach, for example, I would refuse to call up a player, even a young one, in a situation like that,” he said in a press conference.
“What I understand is that he is at the beginning of his career and that he’s growing with Roma by getting more minutes in consecutive matches.
18,350 – Cristian Volpato (18 years, 350 days) has become the youngest AS Roma player to both score and deliver an assist in a Serie A match since Opta started collecting this kind of data (since 2004/05). Solver.#VeronaRomapic.twitter.com/UgCBjmSQVY
“It’s not like last year where he played just one game against Verona and then he didn’t play again, I think he has now played four games in a row.
“He is in a development phase where I think he has to focus on building his future and not on certain decisions where maybe someone else wants to accelerate a process that should not be sped up.”
Volpato used social media on Wednesday to issue a comment on the matter.
“I’ve seen lots of speculation about decisions I have supposedly taken at international level: the truth is I am just at the start of my professional career and I am totally focused on continuing that process at Roma,” he posted on Instagram.
“Making any sort of rushed decision about my international future at this early stage risks being extremely premature.
“There will be plenty of time for me to make the decision that feels right for me, but right now I know my focus needs to be continuing to work hard each and every day in order to continue improving as a player.”
Jose Mourinhobemoaned Paulo Dybala’s absence after Roma slipped to a 1-0 derby defeat against Lazio, but revealed his hope the Argentina international will return before the World Cup.
Felipe Anderson capitalised on an error from Roger Ibanez as Maurizio Sarri’s team clinched a crucial win over their arch rivals on Sunday, moving to third in the Serie A table.
While Lazio were without influential duo Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ciro Immobile at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma only managed two shots on target as they toiled in the absence of Dybala – their top goalscorer with five league goals this season.
“We talked about Milinkovic-Savic and Immobile, we didn’t talk about Dybala,” Mourinho said at a post-match news conference.
“I think he is more important, because he’s the one that assists us with goals. When certain players are missing, we go into difficulty.”
Dybala has been absent since October 9 after sustaining a hamstring injury, but Mourinho hopes he will return against Torino next Sunday, in what would also be a boost for Argentina ahead of their trip to Qatar.
“Obviously he wants to go to the World Cup, it is difficult to say no to that,” Mourinho told DAZN. “If there is a good evolution of his injury, we hope to have him back on Sunday against Torino.”
3 – #Lazio have won 3 Serie A derbies against Roma in a row played in the first half of the season for the second time, after 1949/50, 1950/51 and 1952/53. Eagle.#RomaLazio#SerieApic.twitter.com/Iu0iXDguVx
Roma have suffered narrow defeats to several of Serie A’s leading lights recently, but Mourinho believes they have not always got what they deserved.
Asked about the Giallorossi’s poor record against top opponents, Mourinho added: “Roma lost those games, in my opinion, undeservedly.
“Atalanta made one shot on goal and won 1-0, Napoli had difficulties like never before and won with a great goal from [Victor] Osimhen, and Lazio won with a half-goal.
“I think the game they played was the consequence of being 1-0 up, in a low block, compact. In our cultures, it is said that this was a cynical, intelligent game. In England, people would go home after 20 minutes.
“The playing time was definitely very low, the intensity and continuity of the game was very low. We dominated, but there was a lack of creativity.”
Jose Mourinho has said Paulo Dybala may not feature for Roma again this year as the Argentine is recovering from an injury after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Lecce.
Dybala began to limp and clutch his left thigh after he stroked home the winner from the penalty spot when Gabriel Strefezza cancelled out Chris Smalling’s sixth-minute opener, finding the net for a third successive Serie A game.
He appeared to be in tears on the bench after being withdrawn.
Dybala’s return of six goals in 10 appearances for Roma this term is a team-high tally (in all competitions), but Mourinho could now be without the 28-year-old for a lengthy period.
Asked about Dybala’s condition after the win, Mourinho told DAZN: “I say bad, but I think very, very bad.
“I am not a doctor, but in my experience, and after speaking to Paulo, it’s unlikely we’ll see him this year.”
If Dybala is ruled out for a prolonged period, it would also represent a blow for Argentina ahead of the World Cup, with the forward having won 34 senior caps for the Albiceleste.
Meanwhile, despite Roma staying within a point of Serie A’s top four with the victory, Mourinho was displeased with their game management after the visitors had captain Morten Hjulmand sent off.
“There was fatigue, both physical and mental. Playing Thursdays and Sundays is tough,” Mourinho said. “When I see Udinese and Atalanta [who drew 2-2 earlier on Sunday], I understand that they don’t play midweek.
“We entered very well, with intensity and ambition. After that it was more difficult because we managed it badly; when you are tired, instead of playing simply you complicate things.
“Today we didn’t play well and we won, with Atalanta we played better and we lost [1-0 last month]. We have to manage tiredness better.”
As managers, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho won dozens of trophies and now they can claim another accolade because two of their famous phrases have made it into the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).
They are part of 15 football terms added before the men’s Fifa World Cupstarts next month.
Origin: The name of Johan Cruyff (1947-2016), Dutch association footballer and manager + TURN n.
A manoeuvre used by one player to evade another, in which the player with the ball feints a pass while facing in one direction before immediately dragging the ball behind and across his or her standing leg with the other foot, turning, and moving away in the opposite direction.
False nine
A centre forward who often drops further towards midfield than is typical of this role, becoming more involved in creative play and leaving space for team-mates to attack; (also) the position occupied by such a player.
Gegenpressing
Origin: A borrowing from German.
A style of play in which a team upon losing possession puts immediate and intensive pressure on the opposition, even deep in the opposition’s half, in an attempt to regain the ball at the earliest opportunity, prevent the opposing team from capitalising on possession, and force mistakes in dangerous positions.
Panenka
Origin: The name of Antonín Panenka (b. 1948), Czech association footballer who scored a penalty of this type in the final of the 1976 UEFA European Championship.
A penalty kick in which the taker lightly chips the ball into the centre of the goal at the moment that the goalkeeper dives to one side. Frequently (and in earliest use) as a modifier, as in Panenka penalty, Panenka chip, etc.
Park the bus
Origin: Originally after Portuguese estacionar o autocarro (Jose Mourinho)
To play in a very defensive way, typically by having the majority of outfield players close to their own goal and showing little attacking intent.
Mourinho claimed that this is what Spurs had done against his Chelsea team in 2004, playing in such a negative way that they might as well have put their team coach in the goalmouth.
The original wording was “they brought the bus and left the bus in front of the goal as we say in my country”.
Rabona
Origin: Argentinian Spanish rabona, short for hacerse la rabona to play truant (1876 or earlier)
An unorthodox way of kicking a ball in which the kicking leg crosses behind the standing leg before making contact; (also) a pass, cross, etc., made in this way. Frequently as a modifier, as in rabona cross, rabona goal, etc.
Outfield
The area of the pitch away from the goals, or from the opposition’s goal. Now chiefly as a modifier, designating a player other than a goalkeeper.
Over the top
In sporting contexts: up and over the top of a person or thing; over the head of an opposing player.
Row Z
The very back of a theatre, stadium, etc.; spec. (Sport, esp. Association Football) a notional area high and far back in the stadium humorously said to be the destination of a powerful but inelegant clearance, wildly misdirected shot, etc.
Squeaky bum time
Origin: The term was coined by Sir Alex Ferguson, then manager of the Association Football club Manchester United in 2003, with reference to his team challenging for the title in the closing stages of the English Premier League season.
A particularly tense period of time, esp. one leading up to the climax of a competition or event.
Tiki-taka
Origin: A borrowing from Spanish.
A style of play characterised by highly accurate short passing and an emphasis on retaining possession of the ball.
Top-scoring
Achieving a higher score than other participants in a sporting event, or (more generally) another event in which scores or grades are awarded.
Total football
Origin: After Dutch totaalvoetbal.
An attacking style of football in which every outfield player is able to play in any position as required during the course of a game, to allow fluid movement around the pitch while retaining the team’s overall structure as players exchange positions and fill spaces left by others.
Trequartista
Origin: A borrowing from Italian.
An attacking player who operates in the space between the midfielders and the strikers and whose primary role is to create opportunities for team-mates to score.
Zonal marking
A system of defensive play in which an individual player is assigned a particular area on the field of play to defend.
UK rapper of Ghanaian descent, Stormzy featured celebrated football coach Jose Mourinho in his latest music video.
The ‘Special One’ was part of a host of superstars’ who featured in the video for the song ’Mel Made Me Do It.’
Fans were shocked to see the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss in the ten-minutes video released on Thursday evening.
Stormzy in his song captured Mourinho’s popular phrase “I prefer really not to speak. If I speak, I’m in big trouble” in his masterpiece.
Mourinho made the iconic quote after a defeat during his time at Chelsea in 2014.
In a post on social media, the coach posted a picture of himself and Stormzy with the caption, “Was great fun doing this cameo for Stormzy’s new music video out today. I had a great time.”
Stormzy is known to be a huge fan on Premier League side, Manchester United.
Originally named Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. the British musician was born to Ghanaian parents in London.
Several football stars have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
David Beckhamhas joined the likes of Pele, Jose Mourinho and Roger Federer.
Since Buckingham Palace announced that the UK’s longest reigning monarch had passed away, tributes have subsequently poured in from around the world, while some of the biggest names in sport have taken to social media to pay their own respects.
Former England men’s football captain Beckham posted on Instagram: “I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, The Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the Platinum Jubilee for her life of service.
“How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world. How much she inspired us with her leadership. How she comforted us when times were tough.
“Until her last days, she served her country with dignity and grace. This year, she would have known how loved she was. My thoughts and prayers are with our Royal Family.”
Meanwhile, footballing legend Pele added on Twitter:Â “I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to witness our love for football and experienced the magic of a packed Maracana.
“Her deeds have marked generations. This legacy will last forever.”
Speaking after Roma’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets, head coach Mourinho said: “I’m so sorry. I have lived in England for many years, my family is there. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t appreciate this great woman.”
Current Three Lions skipper Harry Kane described the Queen as “an amazing inspiration,” while team-mate Marcus Rashford also paid tribute to the late monarch.
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer tweeted: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty. Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history.
“I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain.”
“We all knew the end was near but to me, our Queen was like a member of our family,” former boxing world champion Frank Bruno posted.
“I was lucky and blessed to meet her a few times. She was the Matriarch, mother of our nation. My thoughts are with the Royal Family – sad, sad day.”
Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah added:Â “My condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time. The Queen was loved all over the world and meant so much to so many.
“Meeting her was one of the greatest honours of my life. We will remember her for her warmth and dedication to the British people throughout her reign.”
Luis Diaz does not believe Liverpool’s start to the Premier League season has been “problematic”, but accepted the stumbling Reds must improve quickly.
Liverpool have failed to win any of their opening three league games for the first time since Brendan Rodgers’ first season at the helm in 2012-13, having fallen to a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Monday.
Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford dealt the Reds their first Premier League loss of 2022, which followed back-to-back draws with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Liverpool have now conceded the opening goal in seven successive Premier League games for the first time in their history, while a number of injuries to key players have led to calls for Jurgen Klopp to dip into the transfer market.
While Diaz recognises the need for rapid improvements, he was keen to avoid overstating Liverpool’s troubles when speaking to Sky Sports.
“It’s been a bit of a difficult start,” he said. “It’s not quite the outset we wanted for the season. We’re a club that goes out to win three points from every game we play.
“I wouldn’t say it’s problematic for the players or for the manager, but certainly we all know we need to do better.”
Reflecting on Monday’s defeat at Old Trafford, the Colombia winger added: “We were fully aware of what kind of rivalry exists between the clubs and we knew we had a big task ahead of us. It didn’t go our way on the day.
“We know now we have to just do our job and train hard, rest hard and look forward to the next game, when we can hopefully accumulate some points and get a proper start to the season.”
Liverpool have now lost four games against United in all competitions under Klopp, with each coming against a different Red Devils boss; Louis van Gaal in 2017, Jose Mourinho in 2018, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021 and Erik ten Hag last time out.
“It’s stupendous for me, being able to share my position in the team with Mo,” he added.
“I’ve seen him over many years on television at so many tournaments and I’d like to say I’m proud of myself, having reached this position where I can share with him these experiences, to wear the same shirt and be a team-mate of his.
“It’s really something special. Every day, playing alongside players like him, it helps you to improve, not just in a footballing sense as a player but also as a person.
“He’s a great guy and there’s a very special connection between him and me, and between all of us, in fact.”
Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield looking for their first win of the Premier League season on Saturday.
Jose Mourinhosays he is worried about an injury Nicolo Zaniolo sustained in the win over Cremonese, but “crying about it does not help”.
In the 1-0 Serie A triumph at the Stadio Olimpico, attacking midfielder Zaniolo injured his shoulder and had to be replaced just before halftime.
The unlucky Giallorossi suffered yet another major setback just one day after new signing Georginio Wijnaldum shattered his leg in practice.
The Roma manager Mourinho is worried that Zaniolo might also have a protracted absence, but he advises his players not to be self-pitying.
Mourinho remarked, “I’m worried, but that’s life.
“Crying over it won’t make it better.
“Obviously, you have ideas and plans in place for how you want to play and then you immediately find yourself in a situation where we are a few players down. But that’s football, it can happen, and we need to look forward.”
Mourinho is unsure whether he will be able to go back into the transfer market for replacements.
He added: “Right now, everyone wants the same thing, which is to make the right decisions for the club. These decisions are down to the ownership and the general manager.
“They know before this exactly what I would have liked and now we have these new difficulties after the injuries to Zaniolo and Wijnaldum. But we are all united and together we will try to find the best possible solution.”
Chris Smalling scored the only goal of the game against Cremonese to make it two Serie A wins out of two for Roma.
Jose Mourinhohas enjoyed greater achievements in his glittering managerial career, but Roma’s Europa Conference League triumph reduced him to tears after the ‘Special One’ delivered the Italian club their first major European trophy.
Europe’s third-tier club competition has been derided in some quarters, but for Mourinho the win over Feyenoord was every bit as important as his two Champions League triumphs with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010.
“Football is about winning and Mourinho wins,” said former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves on BT Sport.
“He’s a serial winner and he has brought this Roma team to life.”
Box office Mourinho delivers again
This was the 26th trophy of Mourinho’s managerial career – 19 years after he masterminded Porto’s Uefa Cup win in 2003.
He was announced as Roma boss last May and was tasked with building the club up after a disappointing seventh-place finish in Serie A in 2020-21.
“Mourinho said it wasn’t part of the plan [to win the trophy]. The plan was to build this team, it was the start of the project,” Joe Cole, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea, told BT Sport.
Roma’s run to the final was not all smooth, with the Portuguese coming under fire after an embarrassing 6-1 defeat by Bodo/Glimt in the group stage in October.
“The great thing about my career is that, aside from the Europa League with Manchester United, doing it with Porto, Inter and Roma is very, very, very special,” Mourinho said.
“It is one thing to win when everyone expects it, when you made the investments to win, but it’s quite another to win when something feels immortal, that feels truly special.
“This remains in the history of Roma, but also mine. I was told only I, Sir Alex [Ferguson] and Giovanni Trapattoni won trophies in three different decades. It makes me feel a little old, but it’s nice for my career.”
Jose Mourinho was overcome with emotion during the celebrations on the pitch
Mourinho has instilled a spirit and togetherness that has seen Roma bounce back and secure a first trophy for 14 years.
The hard work, according to Cole, has only just started.
“Roma have gone through a few managers, lost a direction and an identity. Jose’s loved in the city but there is a way to go,” he added.
“These scenes now, especially for the lads who’ve come through the ranks at Roma – you cannot go to that city and not feel the club.
“Football is a religion there and they will feel like heroes and be remembered, but this is the start of the journey. Jose will be back in the office, planning whether they can have a go at the Europa League and get closer to titles.”
‘He’s the best’
This was Mourinho’s first trophy since winning the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017.
Chris Smalling was part of the United side that defeated Ajax in Stockholm five years ago and the 32-year-old defender produced a man-of-the-match performance to help secure Roma a first trophy since 2008.
“Even when I first came to Roma three years ago, it was a long time since they had won a trophy,” said Smalling.
“So we knew how much it was going to mean for everyone at Roma to win something.”
Chris Smalling (left) and Tammy Abraham celebrate after helping Roma win the Europa Conference League final
Smalling’s post-match interview on the pitch with BT Sport was gatecrashed by team-mate and England forward Tammy Abraham.
“He’s the best,” said a jubilant Abraham before planting a kiss on his Smalling’s cheek.
Such has been Abraham’s impact since joining Roma from Chelsea for £34m last August that he finishes his first season in Italy with 27 goals, a European trophy and a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
“One thing I said when I came was I was going to help my team get to the final and win a trophy in my first season. Credit to my team-mates for excellent performances,” said Abraham.
Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho has suggested he is treated differently than other Premier League managers, claiming he would be sent off if he behaved the same way as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Mourinho’s side fell 2-1 to the Reds in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, as Roberto Firmino’s 90th-minute header settled the top-of-the-table clash at Anfield.
Tottenham had just 24 per cent possession and two shots on target compared to Liverpool’s 11, but they could have easily escaped with a point or even all three had Steven Bergwijn or Harry Kane have put away good chances in the second half.
At the conclusion of the match, Mourinho and Klopp exchanged words on the touchline. When asked by Amazon what was said, Mourinho said he told Klopp that Spurs deserved to win the match and that there is a double standard when it comes to coaching behaviour.
“I told him the best team lost and he disagreed, but that’s his opinion,” Mourinho said of Klopp. “If I behave the same way he does on the touchline, I do not stay there. That’s animated? For some reason I am different.”
Speaking to the BBC, Mourinho added that he felt Klopp and the Liverpool bench were putting undue pressure on the officials to show Giovani Lo Celso a second yellow, forcing him to remove the Argentine after 58 minutes.
“The game was always under control. I feel it was a very undeserved result, but that’s football,” Mourinho added. “At half-time we move a little bit the pieces, but overall the game was always under control and I am very pleased with the performance.
“The changes were to find counterattack situations which we did immediately, but with Gio’s yellow card and the incredible pressure these guys on the touchline put on the officials, I was afraid of the yellow card and I had to take him off. I am not the one to speak to my colleagues about their behaviour on the touchline.”
Spurs dropped to second place with the defeat to the defending champions, who went three points clear at the top of the table. Still, Mourinho felt his opponents on the night didn’t demonstrate their title credentials.
“Very good performance, of course some mistakes, some things to improve, a very unfair result. My team told me I am right when I say from the beginning of the season we go to every match to win. We played against the champions in their stadium and we had the best chances to win,” Mourinho added to Amazon.
“The team was brilliant. Today Liverpool didn’t look a team that is champion, European champion, world champion – that difference was not on the pitch.”
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho defended his record of nurturing strikers following criticism from former Arsenal player Paul Merson.
After Harry Kane drew a blank in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United, Merson said the forward would not manage a high goal return under Mourinho because of his style of play.
Kane had scored seven in 11 games under Mourinho before Friday’s league match.
“I think Kane has no problems scoring in my teams,” the Portuguese said.
The England captain was playing in his first match since recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered on 1 January.
Kane managed 36 touches of the ball during the match – only goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had fewer among the players to have played the entire game. He had one shot on target.
“It was a game where the two strikers [Anthony Martial for United] had a lot of chances,” Mourinho added.
“Do you give credit to my defence for Martial game? Do you give credit for United defence for the game and the occasions that we create or didn’t create?”
Mourinho also reeled off the goal records of strikers he previously managed, including former Chelsea man Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, who he had at Real Madrid, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who worked with the 57-year-old at Manchester United and Inter Milan.
“I had a few strikers that played for me and they are not bad,” he said.
Addressing Merson, he added: “Dear Paul, I have lots of respect for you. I think Harry Kane has no problems scoring goals in my teams, especially when he is fit, fresh and has a routine of playing.
“That’s my message to somebody I have a lot of respect for.”
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
Jose Mourinho has admitted that he was a “d*ckhead†to his Inter squad during his time with the treble-winning side of 2009-10, but that ultimately he felt like the club was all part of one big family as he revealed he still speaks to his former driver 10 years after departing San Siro.
Mourinho, now in charge of Premier League outfit Tottenham, led the Nerazzurri to their most successful season in history, clinching the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia and lifting the Champions League, beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final.
While the Portuguese coach can look back fondly on that chapter of his life, he admits that he made mistakes in Milan and that it was not always rosy behind the scenes.
“There are relationships: I coach, you play. Empathy depends on the ability to accept me as I am it’s like a puzzle,†Mourinho told Gazzetta dello Sport. “At Inter, there were people waiting for someone like me to complete that puzzle. I’m never fake, I’m original: it’s me and that’s it. I was also a d*ckhead, but that was me.â€
Asked to elaborate on his comments, the Portuguese pointed to a 3-1 loss in January of 2009, after which he lost his cool and would eventually have to apologise to the squad.
He said: “Especially after the defeat against Bergamo. I was very violent with the players I told them they had won the Scudetto of sh*t. It was only afterwards that I understood I had hurt them and I apologised.â€
Mourinho once famously claimed that leading a disjointed Manchester United squad to second place in the Premier League was the greatest achievement of his career, but he admits that he has never felt as comfortable as he did when he was in the dugout at the Giuseppe Meazza.
“I was at my best when I felt at home, where I could feel the emotions of the group, where I was 200 per cent invested with my heart,†he said. “That’s why, on May 22 in Madrid, I was content to experience the happiness of others, all the way from [president Massimo] Moratti to the people working in the warehouse.
“I had already won a Champions League title I used to always think of myself first and then others. At Inter, it was never like that.
“In a family, when you become a father, you understand that someone is more important than you and that you move into second place.
“Ten years later, we are all together again. Just the other day I spoke to Alessio, my driver from my time at Inter. Where and when does it happen that a coach who leaves, ten years later still talks to the driver? Never. That’s Inter for me. These are my people.â€
Tottenham striker Harry Kane has recovered from his hamstring injury, says Spurs manager Jose Mourinho.
Kane had surgery to resolve the problem on 1 January and is fit again, along with team-mates Moussa Sissoko and Steven Bergwijn.
“It is one thing not to be injured, it’s another thing to be ready to play football,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“For them it is many, many, many weeks of injury and when the injuries were almost at an end, we stopped training.”
The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic but it is hoped there will be a return to action on 8 June, which would require full training to begin by 18 May.
Tottenham have made a limited number of pitches available for the first-team squad to use for individual training sessions, but Mourinho is unsure whether Kane, midfielder Sissoko and winger Bergwijn will be ready for any resumption.
“I don’t know, they don’t know, we have to wait for the official and right permission for the players to train again in groups to see if they can come back to a normal competition level,” said the Portuguese.
“So if we play this season, the remaining nine matches, it would be good for every one of us, it would be good for football, it would be good for the Premier League if players of that quality can play the remaining matches.”
Top-flight clubs will meet on Friday to discuss options for the restart, with any restart planned to be spectator free.
“If we play football behind closed doors I’d like to think that football is never behind closed doors,” added Mourinho.
“With cameras, it means that millions and millions are watching. So if one day we walk into this empty stadium, it will not be empty, not at all.”
Sulley Muntari has revealed that he still speaks to his former Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho after 10-years of their famous treble-winning campaign.
Muntari, 35, won the Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia with the Nerazzurri in a dominant performance in 2010.
Both The former Ghana international and Jose joined Inter Milan in 2008.
The dominant squad went on to conquer everything and Muntari has revealed that he maintains a good relationship with the Tottenham Hotspur manager.
“We were a great team, built by two great people in Massimo Moratti and Jose Mourinho, Muntari told Derbyderbyderby.
“We won everything. The relationship with Mourinho is still very good today. We are always in touch. We speak to each other almost every day, we have a chat consisting of the treble winners. Almost every morning someone writes something.
“Apart from the four who always tease me, Orlandoni, Materazzi, Chivu and Sneijder, everyone else is a good guy.â€
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says he “accepts my actions were not in line with government protocol†after being pictured flouting coronavirus social-distancing guidelines.
Mourinho was pictured leading a training session with record signing Tanguy Ndombele on Hadley Common.
Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon were filmed running together through the same London park.
Serge Aurier posted a video of himself on Instagram jogging alongside another.
Spurs said they have spoken to the players to “remind them to respect†the coronavirus guidelines.
“I accept that my actions were not in line with government protocol and we must only have contact with members of our own household,†said Mourinho.
“It is vital we all play our part and follow government advice in order to support our heroes in the NHS and save lives.â€
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the players and Mourinho should be leading by example.
The Premier League has been suspended since March because of the pandemic.
A spokesperson for Tottenham said: “All of our players have been reminded to respect social distancing when exercising outdoors.
“We shall continue to reinforce this message.â€
