Serie A

JOSE MOURINHO will have “one last dance” as a top-level manager, claims his former player William Gallas.The Portuguese was sacked by Roma earlier this month with his underachieving side sat ninth in Serie A.
Jose Mourinho was sacked by Roma earlier this monthCredit: Reuters
William Gallas played under Mourinho at ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Mourinho’s final months in the Eternal City were littered with bizarre incidents; from frequent red cards and snubbing the press to substituting a star just 18 minutes after bringing him on.
The veteran boss has now been sacked by his last four clubs, dating back to stints with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Gallas, however, believes that he still has a dash of “something special”.
Chatting to Genting Casino, he said: “I think Jose has got something special in him. I think he can have one more big moment as a manager; one more last dance.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“I do think it all depends on the players he is working with. Jose needs players who are warriors. He needs the type of player that will fight for him but are also big enough to accept criticism from a manager.
“I’ve spoken about this before, but the new generation of footballers are completely different to the generation Jose managed so successfully at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
“A lot of these players do not accept criticism. They don’t understand how hard you have to work for one year to achieve something as a player.
“If you want to lift a trophy at the end of the season, you need to give everything. You need to have the mentality of a warrior.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“You never give up. You fight. You accept that you will suffer for twelve months. I don’t think the new generation are ready to make these sacrifices.”
Gallas, 46, believes that Roma lacked players with the right attitudes to fight for big titles under Mourinho.
He added: “For Jose’s last dance, he has to be at a club with players that are ready to work with the intensity that he does.
“Don’t forget, even though was sacked by Roma, the fans adored him. The fans created banners that criticised their own players and accused them of not having the balls to win under Mourinho.
“That tells you everything the fans think of their players. Mourinho arrived in Rome with a winners mentality. I don’t think the players had the same mentality as him.”
‘HE HAD IMPECCABLE STANDARDS’
During his pomp, Mourinho was never afraid to dig out some of his biggest stars if he didn’t feel they were performing up to scratch.
Gallas, who won two Premier League titles and a League Cup under Mourinho, revealed: “He had impeccable standards.
“He would shout at his players at half-time even when we were winning matches. I can remember one moment where he started shouting at his big players: his main players.
“They were a little bit surprised to hear Jose shout at them. That was just before the game against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2004 (Chelsea beat Barcelona 5-4 on aggregate, winning the second leg at Stamford Bridge 4-2).
“He killed some of these guys, so that shows you what type of a personality he was.
“He was a winner. He loved his players and was happy to manage us.
“When he shouted at these players, he showed everyone in the squad that we were on the same level. Status didn’t mean anything to Jose.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Mourinho has rejected a swift return to management with Al-Shabab.
The Saudi Pro League side tried to tempt Mourinho to the Middle East, although he is said to be holding out for the right opportunity in Europe.
Mourinho ‘killed’ some of his players ahead of a famous clash with BarcelonaCredit: AFP More

JOSE MOURINHO has been spotted strolling around Rome eight days on from his sacking.Roma dispensed of the Portuguese’s services last week as they sat ninth in the Serie A table.
Jose Mourinho wore a cap and scarf as he headed outCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho, 60, was joined by a small entourageCredit: The Mega Agency
The group walked through the streets of RomeCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho remains in the Eternal City a week on from his Roma sackingCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho was spotted visiting the Castel Sant’AngeloCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho has a family base in Belgravia, Chelsea from his days managing the Blues.
But as of this morning he remained in Italy despite having said a tearful goodbye to Roma last week.
The 60-year-old wore blue jeans, a white fleece, navy scarf and cap as he went for a walk through the city.
He was joined by a small entourage as he made his way around.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Mourinho was spotted by Rome’s spectacular Castel Sant’Angelo.
The sprawling rotunda dates back nearly 2,000 years to Hadrian’s days as Roman Emperor.
Hadrian’s ashes remain in the building, which is now a museum having previously been used as a fortress.
Mourinho appears to be willing to enjoy some downtime before accepting his next challenge.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss has already snubbed an offer to return to work.
According to ESPN, Mourinho has rejected an approach from Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab.
The self-proclaimed Special One has previously admitted his desire to work in Saudi Arabia.
But he doesn’t yet appear to believe that the time is right, preferring to stay in Europe.
Al-Shabab sit 11th in the Saudi Pro League and are ironically set to play Roma in a friendly this afternoon.
Their squad includes Yannick Carrasco, Habib Diallo and Romain Saiss.
Mourinho has already received interest from clubs on the continent, but has indicated that he will not rush back into work, preferring to wait for the right opportunity.
Former Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf reckons that Mourinho fancies a crack at international football.
He told ESPN: “I remember interviewing Mr Mourinho when he was at Madrid or Chelsea when he came over to Los Angeles.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“He admitted that the last thing he would love to do in his coaching career would be to get the Portuguese national team job. I think that’s going to be his goal.
“It’s tricky right now with Roberto (Martinez) but I really think he can be patient and see how it goes during the Euros and then maybe jump into the seat if he has the chance to.”
Mourinho was axed by Roma after a chaotic two-and-a-half years in chargeCredit: AP More

GENNARO GATTUSO was once dared to eat a slug for €5,000 by his AC Milan team-mates.The Italian hardman shocked his fellow players by eating it instantly.
Gennaro Gattuso (right) was once dare to eat a slug for €5,000Credit: Getty
Gattuso had been dared by ex-Milan defender Kakha Kaladze after the slugs were spotted on the floor at their training ground.
Fellow defender Gianluca Zambrotta previously recalled the incident, explaining: “One day, we were at training and there were slugs on the floor.
“Kakha Kaladze said to Gattuso: ‘I will give you €5,000 if you eat a live slug’. He picked one up, ate it and gave the money to charity.”
The AC Milan legend giving the money to good causes made the dare all the more epic.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Andrea Pirlo also claimed in 2022 that the dare was part of a €10,000 bet amongst the players.
Speaking on Juventus’ All or Nothing series, he explained: “Once we made a bet… you know the snails, the ones without their shells, so big?
“We said, ‘Come on Rino, if you eat it we will give you 10 thousand euros, we collect them and then you give them to the intern workers.’
“He took the slug, he sent it down, we didn’t give a s***. He wanted to kill us all.”
Most read in Football
Gattuso ate the slug despite the health risks associated with doing so.
Promising Australian rugby player Sam Ballard passed away in 2018 after being left paralysed by an infected slug he swallowed for a dare.
46-year-old Gattuso spent 13 years with Milan as a player, scoring 11 goals from midfield across 468 appearances.
He won 10 major trophies during that time, including both Serie A and the Champions League on two occasions.
The former midfielder was also a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006.
Having returned to Milan as manager between 2017 and 2019, Gattuso is now in charge of French giants Marseille.
Gattuso instantly ate the slug and donated the money to charityCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

LEGENDARY Italian footballer Gigi Riva has passed away at the age of 79.The striker, who is Italy’s all-time record scorer with 35 goals in 42 appearances, died in hospital after falling ill at his home in Sardinia.
Gigi Riva has passed away at the age of 79Credit: Getty
He spent his entire career with CagliariCredit: Getty
He was a key player in helping the Azzurri win Euro 1968, bagging the opener in the final against Yugoslavia.
He also helped Cagliari win the only Serie A title in their history in 1970.
Riva spent all but the first season of his career with Cagliari, scoring 207 goals in 374 appearances across a 13-year stint.
This makes him Cagliari’s top scorer by more than 100 goals.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
In 2005, the club retired the No11 jersey in honour of Riva’s achievements.
After hanging up his boots, Riva went on to become a coach for the Italian national team in 1988.
And he remained a part of the backroom staff until 2013.
He was a member of the technical staff during Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph.
Most read in Football
And after the tournament, captain Fabio Cannavaro praised Riva for his contribution towards the country’s fourth World Cup win.
Paying tribute to Riva following his death, legendary Italian keeper Dino Zoff said: “I’m losing a great friend, we’ve had a long life together.
“From the military to many memories in the national team. Infinite sadness, I’m deeply saddened, I can’t speak.”
Inter Milan also reacted to Riva’s passing, adding: “FC Internazionale Milano expresses its condolences for the passing of Gigi Riva and rallies around the family and the entire world of football in this moment of mourning.”
Hours before Riva’s death was confirmed, Cagliari posted: “We are with you, go Gigi ❤️💙.”
He goes down as an Italian legendCredit: Getty
He scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for his countryCredit: Getty
Riva was a part of the national team set-up until 2013Credit: AFP More