Jose Mourinho ‘so happy’ he snubbed AC Milan as he lashes out at booing fans after Roma’s defeat at San Siro
WIND-UP merchant Jose Mourinho insisted he is ‘so happy’ he snubbed AC Milan.The Roma chief saw his side well beaten 3-1 by Milan at the San Siro on Thursday.
Jose Mourinho revealed he rejected AC Milan’s offer to take over as managerCredit: Getty
Mourinho – who led AC’s rivals Inter to the treble in 2010 – was roundly booed by the home fans throughout the game.
But despite the defeat, the Special One ensured he got the last dig in – by revealing he turned down the Milan gig.
Mourinho, 58, said: “I was offered the job three years ago.
“I thought about it for three days, but I am so happy to have taken that decision.
“I am a professional, but there is still space for emotion.
“I am passionate about Roma and I will give everything for this club.”
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Commenting on the jeers, he added: “Looking to what happened today, I am twice as happy about my decision.”
Mourinho enjoyed his time at Inter between 2008 and 2010, winning five trophies.
He is still adored by the Nerazzurri fans – so much so a section of Inter ultras welcomed him upon arrival at the San Siro.
But on the pitch, things did not go to plan for the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager.
Tammy Abraham’s handball on six minutes gave ex-Blues team-mate Olivier Giroud the perfect chance to open the scoring from the spot.
Junior Messias doubled AC’s lead on 17 minutes but Abraham pulled one back with a cheeky backheel before the break – while Mourinho raced on to the pitch to prevent his star striker getting sent off as the two sets of players scuffled.
But Roma were down to ten men on 74 minutes when Rick Karsdorp saw red before Rafael Leao made it 3-1.
Gianluca Mancini was also dismissed for the visitors deep into injury time but Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw his penalty saved as Roma finished with nine men and seventh in Serie A, 14 points off leaders Inter.
RACE ROW
But the game was marred by racist and abusive chants by Roma fans aimed at Milan duo Ibrahimovic and Franck Kessie.
Mourinho called on his travelling support to stop, which they did initially, before continuing again after full-time.
A Roma statement said: “We have zero tolerance for any form of racism.
“The club has been committed to combating racism and any form of discrimination for years.
“As an organisation, we continue to do everything we can to change the behaviour of some fans in a positive way.”
Mourinho rushed on to the pitch to prevent Tammy Abraham getting a second yellowCredit: Getty More