Jose Mourinho has hinted that he may walk out on Roma if they lift the Europa League final trophy on Wednesday night.
The enigmatic Portuguese coach was asked bluntly - on the eve of the showdown with Sevilla - whether history would repeat itself after he won the Champions League in 2010 with another Italian club Inter Milan…and then quit to join Real Madrid.
There have been strong links with Madrid once more, with their current coach Carlo Ancelotti under pressure after finishing 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga this season - and getting thrashed by Manchester City in the Champions League semi.
Mourinho refused to answer the question outright, but he did admit he’d had heart to heart talks with his Roma skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini, and explained that he HAD told the midfielder of his intention.
“I have spoken to my captain before we came here, and they asked me the same question (whether I would leave). I won’t tell you, because that is between me and them.
“But there is a big difference between now and when I was at Inter, because even though I hadn’t signed a contract with Real Madrid, everything was done. At this moment in time I have had no contract with any other club, so very different.
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“And right now it is about us, us, us and this final - and that is the only thing we concentrate on. Sevilla have an incredible history in this competition.
"Getting to the final is almost run of the mill to them, whereas for us, it’s an extraordinary event, an unforgettable experience. But I insist, history doesn’t go out there on the pitch, it doesn’t matter in a match like this.”
Pellegrini also spoke about the manager’s intentions, and the captain’s demeanour suggested that Mourinho will end his time at Roma, after guiding them to two European finals in the past two years.
But he stonewalled, when he said: “As the coach said before, we spoke to each other in all honesty and it is right that these things remain between us. Then, when it is appropriate, he will be the one to talk about his future.”
Mourinho was his usual unsubtle self when asked about Real though, exclaiming with a glint in his eye: “I love Madrid! It’s a rather special experience, I love the president so much…so you can imagine my relationship with the club.”
