Jose Mourinho, Roma Agree to 3-Year Contract Beginning with 2021-22 Season
May 4, 2021
Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 16, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
AS Roma announced Tuesday it's agreed
to a three-year contract with Jose Mourinho to become the Serie A
club's new manager from the 2021-22 season.
Mourinho was fired by Tottenham Hotspur
in April after prior stints leading some of Europe's biggest clubs,
including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
The announcement came hours after Roma
confirmed head coach Paulo Fonseca would leave the club at the end of
the current term.
"On behalf of everyone at AS Roma, we
would like to thank Paulo Fonseca for the hard work and leadership
shown during these two years," club president Dan Friedkin said. "Paulo led the team through several challenges, including the COVID
pandemic and a change of ownership, and he did so with generosity,
fairness and great character."
ESPN reported that Fonseca, who was
hired in June 2019, had "clashed with several of Roma's senior
players," including star striker Edin Dzeko.
It's been a frustrating campaign for
the Giallorossi, which likely played a role in the hastened
announcement of an impending managerial transition with four matches
remaining in the Serie A season.
They are seventh in the domestic table
with 55 points from 34 matches, which puts them in danger of missing
out on European qualification for next season. They are only two
points clear of Sassuolo in the race for a Europa Conference League berth.
In addition, they trail Manchester
United 6-2 on aggregate after the first leg of their Europa League
semifinals and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia in the Round of
16 by Spezia.
Roma hasn't captured a trophy since
the 2008 Coppa Italia, and it last finished atop the Serie A table
in 2001.
Mourinho rose to prominence by leading
Porto to a Champions League title in 2004, a feat he later matched
with Inter Milan in 2010. His results have been mostly underwhelming
since guiding Chelsea to a Premier League title in 2015, though.
His best results at Manchester United
were Europa League and EFL Cup titles in 2017, and he failed to
deliver any major trophies during his time with Spurs.
The 2010 FIFA World Coach of the Year
will be expected to deliver an instant turnaround at Roma, starting
with some moves in the summer transfer window to help revitalize the
squad.
Roma's Chris Smalling Robbed at Gunpoint During Home Invasion in Italy
Apr 16, 2021
Footballer of Roma Chris Smalling during the match Rome-Genoa at the stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), March 07th, 2021 (Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Roma defender Chris Smalling was robbed at his home in Italy on Thursday night.
Per ESPN's Andrew Cesare Richardson, three armed robbers "stole valuable possessions such as jewellery and watches" at the home Smalling shares with his wife and son.
Richardson noted that Smalling was awoken in the middle of the night and "forced at gun point" to open his safe and hand over jewelry and items that included Rolex watches.
Smalling and his family were unhurt. Police were called around 4:55 a.m. local time and are looking for the robbers.
Smalling is in his second season with Roma after originally joining the club on loan from Manchester United in August 2019. The 31-year-old made the move permanent in June 2020, signing a three-year deal.
Roma's 1-1 draw against Ajax on Thursday saw them advance to the UEFA Europa League semifinals on aggregate (3-2). Smalling didn't play in the game because of a knee injury.
Paulo Fonseca: Roma Want to Sign Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan Permanently
Feb 24, 2020
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma manager Paulo Fonseca has said he "would like so much" to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a permanent deal, while Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also a priority.
England international Smalling, 30, joined the Giallorossi on a season-long loan in late August, but it's understood the €3 million temporary deal had no option for a permanent transfer included.
Fonseca told Sky Sports News he wants to sign the player permanently after Roma defeated Lecce 4-0 at home on Sunday:
"Chris is a great, great man, a great, great professional. The adaptation (to Italian football) was very easy for him. He's a boy that everyone loves in the club because he is a great professional.
"I would like Chris to stay. We are speaking. I don't know if it is possible because of the situation with Manchester United, but I would like so much for Chris to stay here with us because he is very important.
"He is a great player, a great man with a great attitude every day and for all of these reasons I would be very happy if Chris stays."
The former Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk coach was evidently impressed after Roma kept a second clean sheet in four days having beaten Gent 1-0 in their UEFA Europa League round-of-32 first leg on Thursday.
Mkhitaryan looked back to his best at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday when he scored and assisted in Roma's second successive win across all competitions:
The Armenia captain joined Roma on loan from the Gunners on September 2—also for €3 million, plus a potential €100,000 in bonuses—though injury setbacks have limited his involvement thus far.
Fonseca added: "Mkhi during this season got some injuries but he is returning now and he is proving his quality. Let's see. He is a player with great decisions on the pitch and I would also like to keep Mkhi in our team."
Roma have kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since late November, and Smalling has played the full 90 minutes in all but one of their 21 league matches since making his Serie A debut in September.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might consider allowing the player a move given the centre-back competition at Old Trafford. The club signed Harry Maguire from Leicester City last summer, while Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe have also been in the rotation this season.
Solskjaer seemed certain in his response when asked in December whether he thought Smalling—who has made 323 appearances for United—would return to the club, per broadcaster Bill Rice:
Solskjaer when asked if he thinks Chris Smalling will come back to United.
Arsenal have changed manager since Unai Emery agreed to send Mkhitaryan to Rome, and incumbent boss Mikel Arteta may yet want to give the player a chance in north London.
However, sportswriter Jonny Singer appeared to suggest the playmaker hasn't made the necessary improvements to warrant another chance at the Emirates Stadium:
Also, it's so enjoyable to watch Mkhitaryan play for another team. Tackling his team-mates, dribbling down cul-de-sacs, constantly giving it away. What a player he used to be, what a shadow he is now!
Mkhitaryan, 31, has never recaptured the superb form he enjoyed at former clubs Shakhtar and Borussia Dortmund. He endured a disappointing 18 months at United before he was traded for Alexis Sanchez and sent to Arsenal in January 2018.
A permanent move to the Italian capital could make sense for him and team-mate Smalling, each of whom hope to help Roma—currently fifth in Serie A—to a top-four finish before their loans come to an end.
Roma's Gianluca Petrachi 'Happy' to Make Chris Smalling Loan Stay Permanent
Jan 30, 2020
AS Roma's English defender Chris Smalling (L) and Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo eye the ball during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) round of 8 football match Juventus vs AS Roma on January 22, 2020 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has revealed the club hopes to sign Chris Smalling from Manchester United on a permanent basis.
Smalling joined Roma on a season-long loan last summer, and the Italian side have been impressed.
"There is a chance. The player will choose what to do. If he really wishes, we will be happy to have him with us permanently.
"We are very happy with Smalling and he knows it. With Manchester United, the relationship is excellent, we have an excellent feeling with the club."
Smalling has established himself as a regular fixture in the Giallorossi's back line, starting 16 of their past 17 matches in Serie A, only missing December's 3-1 win over SPAL because of a knee issue.
Roma have conceded just 23 goals in 21 Serie A matches. League leaders Juventus have only shipped two fewer. And Smalling has put in some big performances along the way. The centre-back played a key role in Roma becoming the first side to stop Inter Milan scoring in the Italian top flight this season when they met in December.
Meanwhile, football journalist John Solano singled him out as "brilliant" in Roma's 1-1 draw with bitter local rivals Lazio—who were on an 11-game winning run—on Sunday.
Earlier in January, Bleacher Report's Gianni Verschueren suggested that if Smalling maintains his form, he would be "a lock for the Serie A team of the season."
United have been a little better at the back this season than they were in the last campaign. In 2018-19 they had shipped 35 goals in 24 games, whereas this season they have conceded six fewer.
However, while Smalling hasn't always convinced during his time at Old Trafford, he would have perhaps been a better partner to Harry Maguire than Phil Jones or Victor Lindelof.
Smalling's game appears to be well-suited to the slower nature of Serie A, so it would be of little surprise if he opted to stay, but his impressive form could yet salvage his United career. At the end of the season, he will still have two years remaining on his Red Devils contract with the option of a third.
Roma Star Nicolo Zaniolo Set for Surgery on ACL Injury, Likely to Miss Euro 2020
Jan 13, 2020
ROME, ITALY - JANUARY 12: Nicolò Zaniolo of AS Roma competes for the ball with Adrien Rabiot and Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus , during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on January 12, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo is set to miss the rest of the season and potentially UEFA Euro 2020 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on Sunday.
The Giallorossi confirmed he would undergo surgery on Monday:
Following the injury suffered during tonight’s game, Nicolo Zaniolo underwent medical assessments that confirmed the rupture of the ACL in his right knee, along with some damage to the meniscus.
According to Football Italia, the 20-year-old is expected to be out of action for six months, which would likely prevent him from featuring at Euro 2020, which runs from June 12 to July 12.
Zaniolo was stretchered off 34 minutes into Roma's 2-1 defeat to Juventus on Sunday. After leading a surging counter-attack through the middle, he went down as Adrien Rabiot and Matthijs de Ligt attempted to stop his run.
He was immediately taken to hospital, where doctors revealed the extent of his injury.
The winger is hoping to come back stronger from the injury:
Nicolò Zaniolo on Instagram:
“I swear to you... I will be back even better than before.”
Zaniolo was enjoying a good season and had contributed six goals and two assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
His absence could be devastating for Italy this summer:
Zaniolo’s injury is especially a massive blow for Italy. They can do without him vs the smaller teams at Euro 2020 and attack with two orthodox wingers in a 4-3-3. But vs the big teams, having a right winger who can double up as an extra MF would have been crucial tactically
Cengiz Under is one of several players who could fill in, but the 22-year-old has had a difficult campaign. He has scored just once in 12 matches this season—in the first game in August—having missed 10 matches through injury himself.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed the Juventus match with a thigh problem, having also sat out 10 games earlier in the campaign with a similar injury.
Javier Pastore has been absent for Roma's lpst nine matches with a bone oedema and manager Paulo Fonseca confirmed earlier in January that the timeline for his recovery is unclear.
The coach also said Justin Kluivert, who has been kept out of their past six matches with a thigh injury, is close to a return, so his comeback would be well-timed for Roma.
The Giallorossi are fifth in Serie A at the halfway point of the season, behind Atalanta by way of their head-to-head record. Without Zaniolo leading the charge, securing UEFA Champions League football ahead of La Dea will be difficult.
Roma's Edin Dzeko Says He Doesn't Think About Rejected Inter Milan Transfer
Jan 8, 2020
ROME, ITALY - JANUARY 05: Edin Dzeko of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Torino FC at Stadio Olimpico on January 5, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko has said he doesn't think about what might have been at high-flying Inter Milan after he turned down the chance to join the Nerazzurri last summer.
Dzeko, 33, was closely linked with Inter for most of the summer transfer window but failed to join Antonio Conte's revolution, instead extending his contract with the Giallorossi until 2022 last August.
He told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia): "I don't think about it. They are playing very well and they are first together with Juventus, it will be a race to the end and that's good for the league."
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international continues to impress in his own realm, with 10 goals and six assists to his name in 23 appearances this season.
Dzeko's last contribution of 2019, and indeed the decade, was a crucial goal and two assists when Roma beat Fiorentina 4-1 away from home in December:
Conte & Co. sit at the top of Serie A, level on points with defending champions Juventus and with a gleaming opportunity to break Juve's eight-year grip on the Scudetto. One would forgive Dzeko for feeling somewhat jealous of that fact, with Roma currently fourth in the table and 10 points from the summit.
Corriere dello Sport (h/t Calciomercato.com) reported in July that the two clubs were negotiating Dzeko's transfer, though Mauro Icardi's uncertain future complicated matters.
Former Inter captain Icardi eventually left for Paris Saint-Germain on loan while Inter signed Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United in August for a club-record €80 million.
The Belgium ace has gone on to become a Serie A hit, and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile (18) is the only player in Italy's top flight to have scored more than his 14 goals this season, via Premier Sports:
🗣 "He is a beast at the best of times but this season he has become a monster"
💪 Romelu Lukaku is spearheading Inter Milan's title charge in Serie A this season
Inter are likely glad they took the risk on Lukaku rather investing in the much more experienced Dzeko, who moved to the Stadio Olimpico from Manchester City in 2015, initially on loan.
He's since made 202 appearances for the Wolves—13 more than he made for City—and recently earned plaudits from commentator Adam Summerton:
The Henderson underrated chat got me thinking about other players who’ve maybe not had credit they deserve. Just while at @ASRomaEN Edin Džeko’s scored 97 goals & provided 35 assists in 201 apps 👀#ASRoma
Dzeko came up blank when Roma fell 2-0 at home to Torino in Week 18 in one of their worst results this term, but he'll hope to lift their prospects when they host champions Juventus on Sunday.
Daniele De Rossi Retires After 19-Year Career with Roma, Boca Juniors
Jan 6, 2020
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 24: Daniele De Rossi of Boca Juniors drives the ball during a match between Boca Juniors and Union as part of Superliga 2019/20 at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 24, 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Roma legend Daniele De Rossi has announced his retirement from football after less than six months at Boca Juniors.
Per Football Italia, De Rossi, 36, said on Monday he has made the decision because "I simply feel the need to be back with my family."
OFFICIAL: Daniele De Rossi announces his retirement after a legendary career 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/zzURNdpDFc
Midfielder De Rossi, who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy, signed for Boca back in July on a one-year contract after more than 18 years in the Roma senior side.
In the 2019–20 Superliga he made five appearances. He hailed his Argentinian sojourn as "a unique experience" but explained why he has made the decision to hang up his boots prematurely, per Football Italia:
"It's not a serious injury problem or any other major issue, really. I simply feel the need to be back with my family. I miss my daughter in particular and she is missing me. I have made this decision, it is definitive."
Rome-born De Rossi joined Roma's youth academy in 2000 and made his senior debut just a year later.
He bowed out as club captain last May after inheriting the armband from Francesco Totti ahead of the 2017-18 season:
❤️💛 Last night, the Stadio Olimpico said goodbye to Daniele De Rossi as he played his final game for Roma
1️⃣8️⃣ Seasons 🏟 616 games ⚽️ 63 goals 🏆 2 Coppa Italia 🏆 1 Supercoppa Italiana
De Rossi had previously retired from international duty with Italy in 2017 after earning 117 senior caps.
Image: Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini Bleeding from His Head After Fan Throws Object
Nov 28, 2019
Basaksehir's Turkish defender Mehmet Topal (R) heads the ball next to AS Roma's Italian midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini (L) during the UEFA Europa League Group J football match Istanbul Basaksehir FK vs AS Roma on November 28, 2019, at the Fatih Terim stadium in Istanbul. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
Thursday's UEFA Europa League match between AS Roma and Istanbul Basaksehir was halted after the Italian club's midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini was bloodied by an object thrown from the stands at Fatih Terim Stadium in Istanbul.
Per Roma's official Twitter account, the 23-year-old required treatment, but he was able to continue:
55' | Break in play here while Lorenzo Pellegrini receives treatment for a head injury - the midfielder was hit by an object thrown from the crowd while preparing to take a corner.
Roma had a comfortable three-goal lead at the time, courtesy of goals from Jordan Veretout, Justin Kluivert and Edin Dzeko. The Giallorossi dominated the first half of this crucial clash in Group J.
Basaksehir entered the match ahead of Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach in the standings with two fixtures left. A loss at home would see the Turkish club drop below Roma, however, leaving them in real danger of not advancing to the knockout stages.
Monchengladbach's 1-0 win over Wolfsberger took them to the top of the group. They'll host Basaksehir on the final matchday on December 12.
AS Roma Confirm Investment Rumours, Trade Stock Suspended
Nov 20, 2019
UDINE, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: Chris Smalling of AS Roma celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on October 30, 2019 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
AS Roma have confirmed rumours of investment talks, and the trading of their stock has been suspended amid reports the Friedkin Group is looking into purchasing the club.
Per Football Italia, the trade stock was suspended on Wednesday. The Giallorossi released a statement later in the day:
"Upon request from CONSOB, with reference to the rumors that appeared today in the press concerning a potential acquisition of A.S. Roma S.p.A. shares by some potential investors, AS ROMA SPV LLC, the company which indirectly holds A.S. Roma S.p.A., through its controlled company NEEP ROMA HOLDING S.p.A., hereby informs that preliminary talks are ongoing with some potential investors in order to allow the latter to assess the opportunity of a potential investment in AS ROMA SPV LLC.
"In the case of the reaching of agreements concerning the transfer of shares held in A.S. Roma S.p.A., AS ROMA SPV LLC will provide the Market with adequate information within the terms provided by the law."
UDINE, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: Niccolo' Zaniolo of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on October 30, 2019 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
James Pallotta is the current co-owner and chairman of Roma, acquiring the club in 2011. They have had their ups and downs during his spell in charge and ran into Financial Fair Play issues, but sanctions were lifted last year.
The Giallorossi have finished in second place in Serie A three times since Pallotta took charge, but tumbled to sixth place last season. In Europe, their high point came in the 2017-18 campaign, where they made it to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, knocking out La Liga giants Barcelona along the way:
The club has had difficulty building on their success due to their tendency to sell their best players. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Kostas Manolas have all left for greener pastures in recent years.
Roma currently sit in sixth place in the Serie A standings, 10 points behind leaders and eight-time defending champions Juventus.
Per Il Tempo (h/t John Solano of RomaPress), Goldman Sachs have been reaching out to investors for months, even though the club isn't officially for sale. Investment bank JP Morgan is assisting with the acquisition. Pallotta reportedly values the club at €1 billion.
