José Mourinho: 5 reasons AS Roma sacked The Special One
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Jose Mourinho, former Roma and Real Madrid manager | Imago

José Mourinho: 5 reasons AS Roma sacked The Special One

Ayoola Kelechi 11:40 - 16.01.2024

Jose Mourinho's time at Roma ends with a lot of murmuring and objection, but it was the right decision to sack the Special One

Italian giants AS Roma have announced the immediate departure of Jose Mourinho from the club, with reactions ranging from disappointment among his ardent followers to elation from his detractors.

The timing of the decision has caused a bit of a stir, while a debate rages on about whether there was truly a need for Roma to send Mourinho packing.

However, some careful analysis shows that the club has taken the right decision, with these five reasons clearly showing why Roma’s chiefs had little choice but to sack the Special One.

Roma’s awful recent form

A significant factor in Mourinho's sacking was a string of poor match performances, most notably a defeat to AC Milan.

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This loss was part of a series of poor results, including a run of 10 matches where they won only four times and lost four games as well, underscoring the team's inability to maintain consistent form under Mourinho's leadership​​​​.

Underwhelming league performance

The poor form that Roma suffered has been a recurring problem for the Gialorossi during Mourinho’s spell as manager, which has facilitated fluctuating success in league matches.

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Despite leading the team to Europa Conference League glory and a runner-up position in the Europa League, AS Roma's performance in the Serie A league was lacklustre. The club found itself in a disappointing ninth place at the time of Mourinho's departure, falling short of the high expectations

Coppa Italia elimination

Adding to the league woes, AS Roma faced elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of their fierce rivals, Lazio, in the quarterfinal stage, where the Special One was sent off.

Romelu Lukaku involved in an altercation against Lazio | Imago
Romelu Lukaku involved in an altercation against Lazio | Imago

This defeat not only ended Roma’s quest for a domestic title, but the derby loss also hurt the club's prestige, giving Lazio a competitive and mental edge over their neighbours.

Disciplinary issues and fan backlash

Mourinho also faced disciplinary sanctions that led to him being barred from the sidelines during key matches, notably missing half of the games that Roma played at the San Siro due to suspension.

In total, Mourinho was suspended on seven separate occasions in Serie A and also received a European ban for his antics after the Europa League final loss to Sevilla.

Mourinho had a heated moment with Taylor against Sevilla in the Europa League final last season | Imago
Mourinho had a heated moment with Taylor against Sevilla in the Europa League final last season | Imago

Coupled with growing dissatisfaction among the fans, some of whom openly booed Mourinho, this indicated a loss of support and confidence both within and outside the club. The strain in Mourinho's relationship with the fans and his handling of disciplinary issues played a critical role in the decision to part ways​​​​.

Organisational direction and future outlook

The decision to sack Mourinho also stemmed from a broader consideration of the club's future direction and long-term goals.

The Roma management, led by Dan and Ryan Friedkin, expressed their gratitude for Mourinho's efforts but emphasized the need for an immediate change to align with the club's aspirations. This suggests a strategic pivot in the club's management and vision for future success​​.

Now Ex-Roma coach Jose Mourinho | Imago
Now Ex-Roma coach Jose Mourinho | Imago

The departure of José Mourinho from AS Roma marks a significant moment in European football. While his achievements, including the Europa Conference League title, are commendable, a combination of poor league performance, recent match failures, elimination from the Coppa Italia, disciplinary issues, and a shift in organizational strategy ultimately led to his sacking. As the club moves forward, it remains to be seen how this decision will shape its trajectory in the competitive landscape

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