Jose Mourinho Applauds Roma Fans, Wants More Control on Daily Affairs

• Jose Mourinho is approaching the final years of his three years contract at AS Roma
• The Special One joined the capital club in 2021 and won the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League
• He is attracting interest from top European clubs in England and France

Jose Mourinho unexpectedly returned to Italy as head coach for AS Roma, months after leaving Tottenham, signing a three-year contract.

He guided the club to victory in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season, the club's first trophy since 2008, beating Dutch club Feyenoord in the final in Tirana, Albania.

Giallorossi has started his second season on a solid foot. Roma are in the quarter-final of the Europa League and currently fifth on the Serie A table, one point behind fourth-placed AC Milan.

The self-acclaimed Special One attracts interest from top European clubs, including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, putting his future in Italy in doubt.

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Mourinho outlines demand to Roma

According to Corriere della Sera, the former Chelsea boss wants to stay and fulfil the final years of his contract in Rome but has outlined demands to the hierarchy.

He reportedly wants more say off the pitch amid reports of a fractious relationship with sporting director Tiago Pinto and owners Friedkins Group over lack of investment.

GIFN reports that if his demands are unmet, the 60-year-old could quit in the summer and look at his options elsewhere.

Mourinho's special connection with fans

The former Manchester United boss has a special connection with the Roma fans, and his influence has helped the club sell out the Stadio Olimpico for 27 straight games. Football Italia reports that he feels he owes the fans gratitude and not the other way around.

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“I am the one who should be thanking the fans for all they have given me,” he said. “In social terms, people need a reference point, which is not me but the club. This empathy, this sense of belonging, of family, that is what I enjoy here.

“At Roma there is this feeling of ‘we’re happy if we win, then if we lose we’re sad, but at least we’re together.’ You get that in families.”

Abraham hints at Roma exit

Jose Mourinho's future in Rome would decide many players' futures at the club. If he stays, many will remain, and if he does quit, many departures will follow.

£34m signing in Mourinho's first season, Tammy Abraham has dropped a hint he could return to the Premier League at the end of the season, as earlier reported by Sports Brief.