Jose Mourinho has helped Roma to win their first European club title since 1961 in a grand style. The Portuguese coach did not only achieve that, he also helped the club to become the first club to win the Europa Conference League.
On Wednesday night, May 25, 2022, Roma faced a Dutch club, Feyenoord, in the final of the Europa Conference League at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana, Albania. The two clubs became the first teams to play in the final of the Conference League which commenced in the 2021-2022 season.
In a caging first half, Jose Mourinho and his boys took advantage of their first break to score the match opener, thanks to Nicolo Zaniolo’s skillful strike in the 32nd minute.
After the goal, Feyenoord who dominated the game tried to break Roma’s resilient defense but couldn’t. Hence, they had to bow to the Italian club 1-0 after 95 minutes of intense football.
The victory made Jose Mourinho become the first football manager to win the Europa Conference League title. Mourinho also became the second coach after Giovanni Trapattoni to win five European titles as a coach.
More so, Jose Mourinho is the third coach after Sir Alex Ferguson and Giovanni Trapattoni to win at least a European title in three different decades. Mourinho is also the first coach to win at least a European title for four different clubs.
Recall that the 59-year-old Portuguese tactician won the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup with Porto. He won a UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan and a Europa League with Manchester United.
During the post-match press conference, Jose Mourinho said the European titles he won with Porto and Roma are the most special to him because the clubs are not as funded as other clubs.
He said: “The great thing about my career is that, aside from the Europa League with Manchester United, doing it with Porto, Inter and Roma is very, very, very special.
“It is one thing to win when everyone expects it when you made the investments to win, but it’s quite another to win when something feels immortal, that feels truly special.
“This remains in the history of Roma, but also mine. I was told only I, Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Giovanni Trapattoni won trophies in three different decades. It makes me feel a little old, but it’s nice for my career.”
🎙️ "Today we made history."
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 26, 2022
José Mourinho discusses his managerial success after celebrating his FIFTH European trophy following Roma's victory over Feyenoord 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dFYhvOhTIw
Jose Mourinho is staying at Roma
Jose Mourinho who has coached some of the biggest clubs in the world including Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, stunned most of his fans when he agreed to become the coach of a struggling Roma side.
Since he became the coach of the club in 2021, he has been able to bring a bit of stability to the side. He helped the club to finish 6th on the league table and win the Europa Conference League.
After his Europa Conference League triumph, reporters asked him about his future at the Italian club, Mourinho stressed that he would stay at Roma.
“Now I am staying, there are no doubts,” Mourinho insists. “Even if some rumors emerge, I only want to remain at Roma.
“We must understand what our owners, who are fantastic people, want to do next season because this is history, but we can build a really strong project with honest professionals.
“Of course, I feel like a Romanista, but that might be my way of working. I am a Porto fan, an Inter fan, a Chelsea fan, I am crazy about Real Madrid, I am now a Roma fan, I belong to all those clubs because we had these moments together.”
The reaction inside the Stadio Olimpico when Roma won their first European trophy for 61 years 🏆 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/pu3NXVlVDq
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 26, 2022
