Nicolo Zaniolo’s strike in the first half helped AS Roma beat Feyenoord in the inaugural UEFA Conference League final, on Wednesday. Half an hour into the game, Zaniolo controlled the ball on his chest before slotting it past the goalkeeper to end Roma’s title drought of 14 years. The Conference League triumph also secured Jose Mourinho as a serial winner, becoming the first manager to win all three tiers of the European competitions. Previously, he has won the Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan, and the Europa League with Manchester United.
Mourinho was in tears after the game, and reasoned why this is the most special triumph of his career. “It is one thing to win when everyone expects it, when you made the investments to win, but it’s quite another to win when something feels immortal, that feels truly special,” he said.
The Portuguese, who became only the third manager to win the title in three different decades, also ensured Roma fans that he is not going anywhere next season.
“I’m gonna turn down any proposal,” said Mourinho.”I will stay here at Roma even if there are rumours. We made history today. I have no doubts, I will continue as Roma manager.”
Let’s take a look at how Mourinho has fared at different clubs:
Jose Mourinho won 6 Trophies at Porto FC
Jose Mourinho started his managerial career with Benfica, but it took off only after he joined Porto FC. He won the domestic league twice in as many years, and stunned everyone by guiding Porto FC to their first Champions League trophy since 1987. He also won Taca de Portugal, Supertaca Candido de Oliveira, and UEFA cup at the club.
Jose Mourinho Is The Most Succesful Coach Of Chelsea FC
Mourinho’s success at Porto FC landed him a lucrative contract at Chelsea. After a quiet first year, he won back-to-back Premier League titles at Chelsea, and also scripted numerous records. Chelsea’s record of conceding just 15 goals during their title-winning campaign is yet to be surpassed. In 2013, Mourinho again returned to the Stamford Bridge, and signed off with one more Premier League title and League Cup.
Guiding Inter Milan To A Historic Treble
After conquering Portugal and England, Mourinho landed in Italy. It didn’t take much time to leave his mark, as he won both Scudetto and Supercup. In his next season, Nerrazurri became the first and only Italian club to complete the treble – clinching Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League.
Turning Real Madrid Into Counter-Attacking Monster
In Spain, Jose Mourinho had to compete with Pep Guardiola’s iconic Barcelona side. He started his tenure by winning the Copa League, but failed to win La Liga and Champions League. In his next season, Mourinho transformed his side into a counter-attacking monster that went on to score over 120 goals en-route to their first La Liga title in three years. However, things ended on a bitter note, as he found himself at loggerheads with some players in his third season.
Winning Europa League With Manchester United
“If I tell you, for example, that I consider one of the best jobs of my career was to finish second with Man United in the Premier League, you will say, ‘this guy is crazy,” Mourinho quipped. “I keep saying this because people don’t know what is going on behind the scenes.”
He was initially ridiculed by Manchester United fans, but now it looks like he was not wrong. Moreover, they are currently on a five-year title drought, after winning Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2016/17.
Taking Tottenham to The Final Of the Carabao Cup
Tottenham remains the only club where Mourinho couldn’t win a single trophy. However, he guided them to the Carabao Cup final before being sacked by the club. But Mourinho considers this as half of a trophy. “The half is the final I didn’t play with Tottenham,” said Mourinho to The Sun.
Featured Image Credit: AS Roma
