José Mourinho on potential Roma exit: “For me, a separation would be hard”

Roma boss José Mourinho has, on Sunday evening, provided a fresh insight into his future in Italy’s capital.

The subject of Mourinho’s spot in the Stadio Olimpico dugout has of course long dominated the headlines in Serie A. This comes with the iconic tactician’s current terms due to expire next summer.

The powers that be in Rome are understood to be keen to tie Mourinho down to a new contract, but, to this point, little progress has been made in negotiations towards as much.

Speaking to the media after the loss to Bologna, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his future was put to the former Inter and Chelsea headmaster once more. Roma were back in Serie A action yesterday, ultimately slipping to a costly 2-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Bologna.

And the mood in the Giallorossi camp is unlikely to be at all improved by Mourinho’s ensuing comments, with the 60-year-old – a beloved figure in the eternal city – having confirmed that financial restrictions could well leave he and Roma with little choice but to part ways.

“I want to continue at Roma but we need to check on Financial Fair Play limitations to decide the plans,” he began, as cited by Fabrizio Romano.

“For me a separation would be hard… but if it has to happen it will never be by my decision”.

🟡🔴 Mourinho on his future with deal due to expire in June: “I wanna continue at AS Roma but we need to check on Financial Fair Play limitations to decide the plans”.

“For me a separation would be hard… but if it has to happen it will never be by my decision”. pic.twitter.com/wAmj2rPAOq

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2023

Conor Laird | GIFN