(Reuters) – AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho lightheartedly dismissed persistent hypothesis round taking a managerial function at Paris St Germain, as his group prepares for the primary leg of the Europa League semi-final towards Bayer Leverkusen at house on Thursday.
Regardless of speak of doubtless take over the Ligue 1 membership from Christophe Galtier within the 2023-24 season, Mourinho reaffirmed his loyalty to Roma, the place he’s presently below contract till 2024.
“In the event that they known as, they didn’t discover me,” Mourinho informed Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday earlier than the pre-match information convention.
Roma are set to confront a formidable problem as they go head-to-head towards Xabi Alonso’s squad on Thursday. Notably, Alonso performed a pivotal function in Mourinho’s success throughout their tenure at Actual Madrid from 2010 to 2013.
Collectively, they clinched prestigious titles comparable to LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Tremendous Cup.
In the course of the information convention, Mourinho expressed admiration for the previous Spain worldwide, showering him with reward.
“I haven’t seen him for a very long time. We’ve at all times had a incredible rapport, greater than between a coach and a participant.”
Mourinho stated that the German group ranks amongst Europe’s most interesting when it comes to executing counter-attacks.
“They’re very harmful on this second of the sport, they defend, watch for the opponent to lose the ball after which it’s troublesome to cease them,” he stated, emphasising the variety of swift attacking gamers in Alonso’s squad.
“He makes use of the type that fits his gamers extra, 5 or 6 … of them might run the 100m with Marcel Jacobs on the Olympics.”
Regardless of Roma reaching the semi-finals of a distinguished European competitors for the third consecutive season, Mourinho dismisses the notion that it places strain on the group.
“We’ve sufficient expertise to not be too excited for being within the semi-finals, and to not be too fixated on the very fact that it’s the first sport and that it’s performed at house,” he stated.
Mourinho stated it was doubtless key striker Paulo Dybala and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum won’t be within the beginning lineup resulting from their accidents.
“We’ll do all the things we are able to to completely recuperate them however we should put together the match no matter their availability.”
The return leg will happen on Could 18.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, enhancing by Deepa Babington)
