That didn't take long! Less than a month since being sacked by Tottenham, Jose Mourinho has already found himself a new job, being officially appointed as the new head coach at AS Roma. The Italian giants confirmed this news on social media, unveiling the highly-successful tactician as the man to lead them from the 2021/22 season onwards.
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 4, 2021
The club are delighted to announce an agreement has been reached with Jose Mourinho for him to become our new head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season.
#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/f5YGGIVFJp
This announcement came after the inevitable departure of Paulo Fonseca was confirmed. The Giallorossi revealed that their current boss would be leaving the club once the ongoing campaign ends, a decision brought about by their failure to secure Champions League football and the Europa League semi-final exit that is on the horizon.
Fonseca, who arrived at the Stadio Olimpico from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2019, issued a grateful farewell to the club and the fans ahead of his upcoming departure and was lavished with words of praise for his dedication.
"Over these last two years we have experienced a number of highs and lows, but I have always given my all for this club and this city - a city that has always been so welcoming," the outgoing coach said in an official statement on Roma's website.
"I would like to thank the Roma fans, everyone we have worked with at Trigoria, the players, and all those who have helped us during this journey - in particular Dan and Ryan Friedkin, for their continuous support since they arrived, and Tiago Pinto, an incredible professional, whom I wish the best as he continues his work for the club.
"We still have some very important games in front of us this season that we want to win, and we will continue to give our all in order to do so."
Tiago Pinto, the club's general manager, spoke highly of the departing tactician, saying: "I would like to thank Paulo for all his work for the club over the last two seasons.
"Even if the results have not always been there on the pitch, we know that he has left many positive elements that will continue to help our development - like the many talented and young players he has encouraged and improved, and our progress in the Europa League this season.
"We are building a path to success at Roma, and Paulo has played an important role in that."
A while later, the Giallorossi unveiled Jose as the man to replace Fonseca, with club president Dan Friedkin and vice-president Ryan Friedkin hailing his appointment as a "huge step in building a long-term and consistent winning culture throughout the club". The former Chelsea, Man United, and Tottenham gaffer has put pen to paper on a three-year deal and will be tasked with leading the club back into the Champions League and winning silverware, something his predecessor failed to do.
"Thank you to the Friedkin family for choosing me to lead this great club and to be part of their vision," Mourinho said, as per Roma's official website.
"After meetings with the ownership and Tiago Pinto, I immediately understood the full extent of their ambitions for AS Roma. It is the same ambition and drive that has always motivated me and together we want to build a winning project over the upcoming years.
"The incredible passion of the Roma fans convinced me to accept the job and I cannot wait to start next season."
Out of respect for his fellow countryman, the Special One stated that he would only speak further regarding the Italian giants "in due course". This will be the 58-year-old's second spell in the Italian top-flight, having coached Inter Milan to a historic treble back in 2010.
