…By Enitan Thompson for TDPel Media.
Jose Mourinho, the head coach of Roma, has downplayed his personal pursuit of becoming a club legend, despite guiding the team to consecutive European club competition finals for the first time in their history.
In the Europa League semi-final, Roma defeated Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 on aggregate, securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg and playing to a goalless draw in the second leg.
This triumph propelled Roma to their inaugural Europa League final.
Having previously won the second-tier European club competition with Manchester United in 2017 and the Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022, the 60-year-old Portuguese tactician is no stranger to success in European competitions.
Following Roma’s achievement in reaching the Europa League final, Mourinho expressed his gratitude to the Roma fans for their unwavering support throughout the campaign.
He also called for their continued backing as Roma resumes their Serie A campaign against Salernitana at home on Monday.
While addressing reporters, Mourinho emphasized that his primary concern is not about leaving a lasting mark in the history books of Roma, but rather about nurturing the growth and success of his players.
He acknowledged the immense joy of reaching another final and credited the team’s dedication, work ethic, tactical knowledge, and ability to stay competitive in matches.
Mourinho further expressed his appreciation for the fans, stating that he doesn’t know if he can ask for anything more from them.
However, he believes that the players deserve something special from the fans as they depart the Trigoria training ground ahead of their next fixture.
Meanwhile, Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini attributed the team’s triumph to Mourinho, highlighting the coach’s unique approach and ability to instill a sense of importance in each match.
Pellegrini praised Mourinho’s meticulous preparation, including studying opponents, organizing the team, and analyzing videos.
He credited Mourinho as the driving force behind the team’s personality, particularly in European competitions.
As of now, Roma sits sixth in the Serie A table with 59 points, trailing six points behind third-placed Lazio and two points behind fourth-placed AC Milan.
The battle for a Champions League qualification spot remains intense as the team looks ahead to the next season.