Following his departure from Tottenham, Jose Mourinho took the reins at Roma, but he’s experiencing what he calls the worst start to a season in his coaching career after Roma’s recent 4-1 defeat by Genoa.
This loss marks the third defeat for Roma in just six league games, and it has left the club languishing in 16th place in Serie A with a meager five points to their name.
Mourinho’s illustrious managerial career has seen him at the helm of several top clubs, including Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and, of course, Tottenham. He assumed his role as head coach of Roma in 2021, and in 2022, he achieved the remarkable feat of leading the Italian club to their first trophy in 14 years, clinching the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Last season, Roma finished sixth in Serie A and narrowly missed out on Europa League glory, losing to Sevilla in the final after a heart-wrenching penalty shootout.
Reflecting on the Genoa defeat, the 60-year-old Mourinho admitted, “It’s also my worst start to a season as a coach.” However, he was quick to point out the silver lining, saying, “I don’t think that Roma had ever appeared in two consecutive European finals [before last season].”
The match against Genoa saw Albert Gudmundsson open the scoring for the home side, but Bryan Cristante leveled the score for Roma. However, Genoa came back with a vengeance in the second half, with Mateo Retegui, Morten Thorsby, and Junior Messias all finding the net, leaving Roma hovering dangerously close to the Serie A relegation zone.
Roma’s lone league victory this season came in the form of a resounding 7-0 triumph over Empoli, and they also secured a win against Sheriff Tiraspol in a Europa League group game. Their next challenge awaits them on Sunday when they face Frosinone at home.
In the face of adversity, Mourinho remained resolute, saying, “This is the squad we have, for better and worse. We have to move forward – there’s no time to lament.” He acknowledged the emotional toll such results take, especially considering his strong connection with the fans.
As he looked ahead, Mourinho emphasized the importance of their next game, stating, “We’ll be working hard from tomorrow ahead of our next game. Three points will be at stake – it’s not like we’re in six-pointer territory already – but it’s a huge game for us now.” The challenge is clear, and Mourinho and his team will be striving to turn their season around and climb up the Serie A standings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Roma’s Struggles
Q: What has been Roma’s recent performance in Serie A?
A: Roma has had a challenging start to the Serie A season, with three defeats in their first six league games, leaving them in 16th place with only five points.
Q: How does Jose Mourinho describe his current season as a coach?
A: Jose Mourinho, the head coach of Roma, has referred to this season as the worst start of his coaching career, following the team’s recent 4-1 loss to Genoa.
Q: What were some of Mourinho’s previous coaching roles?
A: Mourinho has had an illustrious managerial career, with stints at top clubs such as Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham, and, more recently, Roma.
Q: What achievement did Mourinho secure with Roma in 2022?
A: In 2022, Jose Mourinho led Roma to their first trophy in 14 years by winning the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Q: What challenges does Roma face in the current Serie A season?
A: Roma is currently battling to climb the Serie A standings after experiencing a challenging start to the season, including a 4-1 loss to Genoa and finding themselves near the relegation zone.
Q: How is Mourinho approaching the team’s situation?
A: Despite the setbacks, Mourinho remains determined and focused on moving forward. He emphasized the importance of their next game, acknowledging the emotional toll of recent results and the need to work hard for the upcoming match against Frosinone.
More about Roma’s Struggles
- BBC Sport: Jose Mourinho says he is enduring the worst start to a season of his coaching career after Roma’s defeat by Genoa
- ESPN: Roma’s 4-1 loss to Genoa marks their third defeat in six Serie A games
- UEFA.com: Roma’s triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League
- The Guardian: Roma’s Serie A performance and Mourinho’s assessment
2 comments
Crazy how Roma went from Europa League runners-up to Serie A strugglers.
Wonder if Mourinho’s got any tech tricks up his sleeve to turn this around!