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Roma manager Jose Mourinho says he “deserves more” after his side lost the Europa League final to Sevilla.
The Italian outfit lost 4-1 on penalties after the match in Budapest ended 1-1.
Paulo Dybala put the Serie A club 1-0 ahead in the 35th minute with a typical strike, only for Gianluca Mancini to put the ball in his own net in the 55th minute to level the scores.
Roma boss Mourinho “deserves more”
Mourinho was on course to win yet another European final, having previously won all five of the European finals he has been involved in.
With a victory against Sevilla, the manager could have eclipsed Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni, who has won five major European trophies.
But it was the Spanish club who came out on top, lifting the trophy for a record-extending seventh time.
The game was overshadowed by the temperament of the players and the coaches, with the English officials dishing out 14 yellow cards on the night, with some even going to those off the pitch at the time.
Roma boss Mourinho, who was on the receiving end of one of those yellows, finished the defeat the only way he knew how by throwing his losers medal to a child in the crowd during Sevilla’s celebrations.
“That’s what I did, I don’t want silver medals,” said Mourinho, as quoted by BBC Sport. “I don’t keep silver medals, so I gave it away.
“I want to stay at Roma but my players deserve more, I deserve more. I don’t want to fight anymore for that. I’m tired of being a coach, a communicator, the club’s spokesperson.”
Mourinho says Roma gave their all
The Special One expressed his devastation at losing the match in Budapest, but believes his players gave their all on the tense night.
Roma won’t be too downbeat after reaching their second-successive European final, having won the Europa Conference League last season.
Mourinho’s future at the Italian club is in doubt, with the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss heavily linked with a switch to French giants PSG.
He is contracted to Roma until 2024, but there will no doubt be a classic Mourinho twist before that time comes around.
The manager was previously contacted regarding the Portugal job, but Roberto Martinez has since taken over the Euro 2016 winners, with Mourinho fully honest with Roma about any such talks.
“My future?” added Mourinho. “I am serious, I said a few months ago that if I had contact with any other club I would tell the owners, I would not do anything in secret.
“I spoke to the club in December when Portugal asked me, so far I haven’t spoken to anyone because there is no team I have spoken to.
“I’ve won five finals and I lost this one, but I’m coming back home proud again. The boys gave everything. We are all attached to the shirt, to our nature.
“We take things seriously and humbly, we work a lot. Everyone reacts in a different way: one cries, the other doesn’t. The truth is that we are all very sad, with or without crying. Great match, great final – intense, vibrant.”
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