Credit: Twitter
Roma manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he has turned down two attractive offers from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli in order to continue his project with the Italian side. The Portuguese coach, who led Roma to the Europa Conference League title last season, said he had no intention of accepting the proposals, which reportedly would have made him the highest-paid manager in the world.
Al Hilal and Al Ahli wanted me, I decided to turn both down as I want to stay at Roma”, he said to Corriere dello Sport. Despite the financial restrictions on him, Mourinho also implied he relished the back-to-the-wall challenge: “Not everything is going well, but I also enjoy the difficulties," he added. "I get angry for an hour and immediately after that, I come back positive. I don’t get depressed, I don’t threaten, I don’t say that they promised me heaven and earth and I don’t see the heavens or the mountains."
Also WATCH: Lauren James gets red card for stamping on Michelle Alozie in FIFA Women’s World Cup
According to several reports, Mourinho was offered 120 million euros to take over the Saudi Arabian national team for two years, or alternatively, to coach Al-Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, or Al-Ahli, who have signed several former Premier League stars such as Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez.
However, Mourinho said he was not tempted by the money and preferred to stay loyal to his players and fans at Roma. “Before going to the meeting, I informed the owners, clarifying that I had no intention of accepting. “On the one hand, I felt like a prisoner of the word given to the players in Budapest and to the fans after Spezia, mimicking the stay. But if you ask me if I didn’t accept just for this reason, I’d answer no, not just for this.”
Mourinho was referring to his gestures after Roma's 2-1 victory over Spezia sealed their place in the European tournament, although Mourinho was once again barred from the sidelines. However, although he said he was staying put, he did get onto the field for a lap of honour on the last day and gave spectators a hint that he would return to the Stadio Olimpico for more action the following year, amidst rumours of a PSG offer.
Watch the video here:
Mourinho’s future at Roma has been under scrutiny after a disappointing Serie A campaign that saw them finish sixth and miss out on Champions League qualification. He also received a four-match ban for abusing referee Anthony Taylor in the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla. However, he still has two years left on his contract and seems determined to honour it.
