Another day, and it can only mean another story about AS Roma’s self styled Special One – Jose Mourinho – and this report seems to build on his words right back at the beginning of the month, where he stated that he was ‘not the problem’ at the club as they have failed to enjoy a good start to the 2023/24 Serie A campaign.
As the current pause in the domestic calendar edges to a close with the October international break now almost at an end, Sky Sports’ Gianluca Di Marzio has recently claimed that Mourinho is now almost 100% guaranteed to leave the club at the end of his current contract in June.
Having signed a three year deal back in 2021, this naturally comes to an end at the close of the season, and although there had been some talk about a possible extension to his existing deal, there were very few reports that claimed any real, or concrete talks had taken place short of very minimal sounding out between the two parties. This now seems completely off the table given further developments this year.
Speaking on Monday, the Italian explained about the situation.
“It won’t happen. There are no negotiations ongoing, there have never been. So they’ll part company at the end of the deal in June.”
With there being very little secret about the fact that unnamed Saudi Arabian Pro League sides were interested in securing the services of the serial winning 60 year old Portuguese manager during the summer, but that he turned their overtures down in order to honour his contract in the Italian capital and the Stadio Olimpico, with talk of a contract renewal now being thoroughly off the cards in the future, there is no surprise at all to see this speculation re-emergence on the rumour mills.
With Mourinho himself recently being on record as confirming that one day he would like to take over a Saudi club, when the time was right for him to do so, this was a very easy go to for Di Marzio, although he did admit to having no clear knowledge on whether the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager would want another couple of years in the European game, before then making the move out to the Pro League.
“Surely, once Mourinho will be free, they (Saudi) will try again. It remains to be seen what Mourinho thinks about his future. Whether he wants to coach a new European club or go there.”
Roma’s correspondent, Paolo Assogna, added.
“There are some things about the Friedkins that Mourinho doesn’t like and some things about Mou that club owners don’t like. Therefore, right now, there are no hints that they will meet to discuss a contract extension, but in football, anything can happen.”
If the season does not wildly change and improve, it is unlikely that there will be a reversal.
