Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has on Wednesday night led his new side AS Roma to celebrate their maiden European title after beating Feyenoord 1-0 in Tirana last night, courtesy of Nicolo Zaniolo’s first half goal.
An emotional Mourinho was in tears after the match and was later doused in champagne as Roma’s players stormed his press conference and celebrated raucously with their manager.
Although Mourinho failed to qualify Roma for next season’s Champions League, his first term at Roma ended on a significant high with the ‘Special One’ able to celebrate a fourth European title with a fourth different club.
Asked to assess the significance of Roma’s success compared to his previous continental triumphs, Mourinho claimed last night’s victory ranked as a better achievement than winning the Europa League with Manchester United.
The Red Devils haven’t won a single trophy in the five years that have passed since that 2-0 win over Ajax, with both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick failing to add silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet, something that should be ‘natural’ for any United manager, according to Mourinho.
‘As you know I have won European competitions with four different clubs,’ said Mourinho in his post-match press conference.
‘Winning with Manchester United even though it was a Manchester United side that lacked the quality of proper United sides, winning with Manchester United is almost natural.
‘Winning the Champions League with Porto is not normal. Bringing joy to people winning the Champions League with Inter.
‘Inter is naturally a huge club, but I think it was 50 years since they had won the Champions League and bringing joy to the fans.
‘Today winning this competition brings joy to the people as well.’