Italian Serie A side, Roma, have terminated the appointment of the legendary manager, Jose Mourinho, with immediate effect.
Mourinho departs Roma after an emotional two-and-a-half years in which he won Europa Conference League in 2022, ending a 14-year trophy drought for the capital club.
Roma said that Mourinho would leave alongside his staff “with immediate effect”, adding that it was “in the best interests of the club” after a series of poor results left the team way off the pace in the Italian top flight.
Italian media report that former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, is the favourite to replace Mourinho as coach.
Mourinho’s contract was due to expire in June and although he had repeatedly stated that he wanted to stay on, talks about an extension to his deal never materialised.
According to the owners of the club, Dan and Ryan Friedkin in a joint statement, released to the public on Tuesday, reads: “We would like to thank Jose on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for his passion and efforts since his arrival at the club.
“We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interests of the club.
“We wish Jose and his assistants all the best in their future endeavours.”
Grazie da parte di tutti noi all’AS Roma, José! #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/3uwjHlEU1f
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) January 16, 2024
