Jose Mourinho has been backed to do a “great job” at Roma by departing head coach Paulo Fonseca, who is looking to oversee a remarkable Europa League comeback against Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are on the cusp of this month’s Gdansk showpiece having secured a 6-2 win in last week’s semi-final first leg at Old Trafford.
"After meetings with the ownership, I immediately understood their ambitions for Roma. Together we want to build a winning project.— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 4, 2021
“For me, professionalism is something I believe is very important,” the outgoing Giallorossi boss said on Wednesday.
“I am OK, I am focused on things here just like I was the very first day I got here.
“I am motivated. I want to do the best I can for Roma for as long as I am still here.
“Mourinho is a great coach, everyone knows that, and I am sure he will do a great job here.”
Mourinho had only been out of work for 15 days after being sacked by Tottenham and Fonseca dismissed talk of his impending arrival being a distraction.
It is, though, unusual preparation for the Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against one of Mourinho’s former clubs.
“Clearly it is not easy to beat Manchester United by four goals – but I have seen a lot of things happen in football,” Fonseca said.
What a second half. What a team.— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2021
“Nothing is impossible. I believe that anything can happen.
“I’m expecting a tough game. Going up against Manchester United is always very difficult.
“They have a good first-leg advantage but we want to win the game. We want to fight until the very end.”
