07 February 2024 , 08:00
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Jose Mourinho left his Roma players a bitter nine-word message in the wake of his sacking as manager and felt betrayed as he left the Stadio Olimpico for the final time.
Though the former Chelsea boss guided the Giallorossi to two European cup finals, Mourinho was relieved from his duties as Roma boss last month after a particularly dismal run of form. It has since emerged that the self-proclaimed 'special one' didn't take this news all too well.
The 61-year-old returned a ring that was gifted to him by his players following their Europa Conference League success in 2022. Mourinho is said to have left it in the locker of captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, as per Italian outlet Il Messaggero.
His gesture didn't end there however, as alongside the ring Mourinho left a note to his former squad. It read: "When you are men, give it back to me."
The note is a clear representation of how Mourinho felt like his players didn't give their all for him to turn their season around. At the time of his departure, Roma languished as low as ninth in the Serie A table.
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However, since his interim successor Daniele de Rossi took charge, the players have managed to find some form out of somewhere and have since won three games out of three in the post-Mourinho era. Their most recent outing saw them demolish Cagliari with a 4-0 now win which in turn, sent them to fifth in the table.
Mourinho was adored by the Roma faithful and news of his sacking was not greeted well by the club's supporters. However, three successive wins has turned the morale around, but the man himself is still hurting.
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Jose Mourinho is believed to have hit back with a parting message to his Roma players after being sacked last month (Getty Images)Since his Stadio Olimpico exit, Mourinho has been linked with a number of jobs - including a sensational return to the Premier League to take charge of either of his former sides in Chelsea or Manchester United.
According to sources close to the Portuguese coach, his heart is set on another shot in the Old Trafford dug-out. However, Erik ten Hag is starting to relieve some of the pressure that was mounting on him after three consecutive wins.
In truth, it is more likely the Stamford Bridge hot seat becomes available sooner. Mauricio Pochettino can't seem to get a tune out of his expensively assembled Chelsea squad and fans are growing louder in their discontent, though Mourinho is not a name expected to be on Todd Boehly's wishlist of successors if the current manager can't turn things around.