Jose Mourinho reveals sacking that hurt him the most as former Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham boss opens up

Jose Mourinho reveals sacking that hurt him the most as former Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham boss opens up

WATCH NOW: Reaction as Jose Mourinho sacked by Roma

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 15/02/2024

- 15:55

The 60-year-old is currently a free agent following his departure from the Serie A side

Jose Mourinho has revealed his sacking from Roma is the one that hurts him the most.

The 60-year-old was axed by the Serie A giants last month in a decision that sent shockwaves around the football world.


Mourinho won the Europa Conference League during his stint in charge of the Italian side, while also guiding them to the final of the Europa League last season.

But he was axed in January after overseeing a chaotic season at the Stadio Olimpico, with Daniele De Rossi installed as his replacement.

Jose Mourinho Roma

Jose Mourinho has opened up on his time as Roma manager following his departure last month

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Mourinho has now shed light on his departure from Roma in an interview with Rio Ferdinand on the defender's Five channel.

And the Portuguese claims it is the sacking that has hurt him the most, despite being axed by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid in the past.

"Of course, I feel and I believe that you feel the same as me, that the fans are always the heart of a football club," he said.

"Without them there is no football club.

"But there is an ownership. And when the owner decides, you just have to respect [it."

When asked about the impact of his sacking, he continued: "I can say it was the one that hurt me more.

"I can say that. You can ask me why I gave everything, I gave my heart, I gave even some...options that could be considered not very clever by a professional point of view.

"I refused great working opportunities. The first one was even very, very hard to refuse because it was Portugal.

"With probably the best national team ever, three years before a World Cup.

"Then I had a big one from Saudi I didn't hide it at the time because it was really big.

"And I did it for...I don't say the first time...but normally i'm very pragmatic in my choices, very professional in my choices.

"I try all this to be emotionally in control and you can see that, I left other clubs after winning finals and this sort of thing.

"In this case I was not pragmatic, I was emotional. I gave everything. When I left...it hurt.

"I had the great feeling that I gave so much happiness to the people because two European finals in a row does not happen, especially in a club like Roma without a history of European success."

With Mourinho now a free agent, there's been talk of a potential return to United.

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Jose Mourinho was hurt by his sacking from Roma last month having won silverware in Italy

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And the 60-year-old has praised Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently purchased a 25 per cent stake in the club, while expressing a belief the Red Devils will rise again.

“I know Jim Ratcliffe well, I know him very, very well," he said.

"We had good relations from years ago. I have a very good feeling.

“He’s also a sports man, he loves it which is a very important thing and comes with experience from other experiences from other sports, cycling, I have a good feeling that things can go in the right direction and I hope so.

"I really hope so."

Jose Mourinho Man Utd

Jose Mourinho says he 'loved' his time at Man Utd

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Mourinho insists he 'loved' his time at United, too.

“I loved my time there. You know better than me, to be a coach in the same club as Sir Alex - even if it was not immediately after - you have to feel it," he added.

"You have to feel the pride and responsibility and I felt it.

"When I went back a couple of years later to Old Trafford as a Sky commentator when I felt the reaction of the crowd to myself, to have that reaction touched me."

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