Jose Mourinho revealed that the Portugal Football Association tried to secure his signature as the national men's team head coach.
Portugal announced Roberto Martinez as the new Seleção boss on January 9, 2023, with the country’s football federation president, Fernando Gomes suggesting he was always the first choice.
However, during a post-match presser on Thursday, January 13, 2023, Mourinho noted that he was the federation's first choice, not Martinez.
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“What he said made me very proud, saying that I was not the first choice, but his only choice, and that he would have done anything to get me home. He made me very happy. But I didn’t go. I’m here and I’m giving my all," Mourinho was quoted by Goal.
Mourinho also took the chance to speak on Roma's chances to win the Copa Italia after World Cup winner Paulo Dybala scored the only goal to send his team to the quarter-finals.
The Portuguese manager expressed his desire to lift the trophy with Roma having done so once as a player.
He described the tournament as the worst cup in Europe as it does not protect the smaller teams.
“It doesn’t put on a show, I’m talking about Torino for example who win on the pitch of the Italian champions Milan, then they have to play the next elimination game away from home, I don’t understand this structure of the Coppa Italia,” Mourinho stated.
Mourinho questioned what motivation would be there if a lower team does not want to play in the tournament.
Roma’s boss question why Torino will have to play away after its win against the Italian champions, in the Round of 16.
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