AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho has denied trying to cause a stir with a picture shared on his instagram account.
Earlier reports had implied that Mourinho was attempting to provoke the club’s administrators with the instagram post but he has come out to refute such claims.
However, the enigmatic tactician has acknowledged that things aren’t particularly as they should be.
The picture shared on instagram showed Jose Mourinho and his assistants embracing an imaginary player.
This is coming as a result of AS Roma’s failure to sign a striker to deputize for Tammy Abraham, who is currently injured.
In an interview with Italian sports media outlet, Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho shed light over the controversial picture.
Jose Mourinho did not intend to provoke AS Roma with his post on Instagram
He said: “There was no provocation, that wasn’t the intention.”
The 60-year-old manager further expressed that despite his post not intended to provoke Roma’s bosses, “everything is not okay” at the club.
Jose Mourinho said: “Everything is not okay but… I get angry for an hour and then I’m back to being positive about things.”
Tammy Abraham was stretched off after he was introduced as a substitute in AS Roma’s final Serie A game against Spezia last season.
The Giallorossi came out victorious by 2-1 in the encounter, but they also suffered a big blow due to the injury of their talisman.
Subsequent reports afterwards revealed that Abraham might not return to action with Roma till February 2024.
AS Roma have made three signings this summer, acquiring the services of Evan Ndicka and Houssem Aouar for free.
They have also signed Leeds United’s Rasmus Kristensen on loan till the 30th of June 2024.
However, they are yet to sign any striker so far despite being linked to several notable attacking names.
AS Roma have been rumored to be eyeing Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata but it appears they don’t have the financial capacity to sign the Spaniard.
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The Giallorossi were initially hoping to get the services of Morata on loan with an option to buy, however, Atletico Madrid would only sanction an outright sale of the former Juventus striker.
Jose Mourinho’s side were also linked to Gianluca Scamacca, but the Italy international has left West Ham United to join Atalanta.
During the interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho also talked about the current challenges he is faced with.
The former Real Madrid manager stated: “After Tammy’s injury we are in a situation that no coach in the world would like to be in.”
“It is impossible for me to say that I am happy. But to say that I am in open war with the club is very wrong.”
Jose Mourinho disclosed that there is a player AS Roma are eyeing, but it would be impossible to sign the player.
He said: “For me there is a name, there is one, because I am usually very objective and pragmatic, but it is not possible to get him – this is what I was told.”
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Mourinho also revealed that he received enticing offers from two Saudi Arabian clubs, but he chose to remain at the Stadio Olimpico.
“I’ve received two proposals: Al Hilal and Al Ahli wanted me, I decided to turn both down as I want to stay at Roma.”
AS Roma put up a decent display in preseason, despite having two of their planned fixtures cancelled.
The Italian side defeated Estrela da Amadora in their first game in preseason by 4-0, before winning Primeira Liga side Farense by 4-2.
However, Jose Mourinho’s side lost by 2-1 in their final preseason game against Coupe de France champions Toulouse.
The 3-time Italian top-flight league champions were scheduled to play Wolves on the 29th of July 2023 but that encounter was cancelled.
They were also scheduled to face South Korean side Incheon United on the 1st of August 2023 but that game was also cancelled.
AS Roma finished sixth in the Serie A last season and they also lost in the final of the UEFA Europa League via penalties.
The Giallorossi will commence the 2023/24 league season with an home game against Salernitana on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
Jose Mourinho’s side still have till September 1 to sign a striker or they can also choose to acquire any high-profile free agent.
Alexis Sánchez, Diego Costa, Islam Slimani, Bas Dost, Stevan Jovetic and Olarenwaju Kayode are some of the popular forwards who are currently free agents.
