In Focus: Is Jose set for Mour success at Roma?

Fifteen days was all it took for Jose Mourinho to find his next managerial post — though the Portuguese’s destination came as something of a surprise.

The former Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea manager will take over at Roma ahead of the 2021-22 season, succeeding countryman Paulo Fonseca.

With 25 honours on his CV, there are few more decorated coaches in the modern game. But Mourinho’s combustible nature and structured style of play are increasingly being held against him.

Ahead of his next role, we explore what Roma can expect from the Special One and whether he will be a one-season wonder in the Eternal City.

Why Jose?

Roma clearly felt there would be a scramble to secure Mourinho’s services for next season, so took the unusual step of confirming their next manager before the incumbent had left.

Fonseca’s two-year deal will expire this summer and there has been little progress during his tenure.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk boss took the Giallorossi from sixth in 2018-19 to fifth in his first season but they have gone backwards again this term.

Champions League football is no closer and after a humbling 6-2 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, there is now little hope of a back-door entry to the competition.

The dream

Despite his fractious spell in North London, Mourinho, 58, is a proven winner and a big draw to boot.

Until his time at Tottenham, you have to go back to a short spell at Uniao de Leiria in 2001-02 to find the last club where he failed to win a trophy.

Roma will be banking on his reputation and winning mentality to land their first major honour since the 2008 Coppa Italia.

Speaking after Mourinho’s appointment, club president Dan Friedkin and vice-president Ryan Friedkin said: "A great champion who has won trophies at every level, Jose will provide tremendous leadership and experience to our ambitious project.

“The appointment of Jose is a huge step in building a long-term and consistent winning culture throughout the club."

The reality

When Mourinho swept into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2019, he seemed like a new man.

Long-term assistant Rui Faria was gone, replaced by the younger Joao Sacramento, while Mourinho himself spoke warmly about his squad, putting a big onus on getting the best from Dele Alli.

But, inevitably, things soured.

Alli made just two Premier League starts this season before Mourinho’s sacking, while long-serving full-back Danny Rose was stripped of his squad number and dropped.

Tottenham’s football under Mourinho was negative, lacked an attacking blueprint and only superb individual displays from Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Gareth Bale carried them.

The challenge

Though Mourinho prides himself on winning trophies, the Giallorossi’s immediate aim will be to simply get back into the Champions League.

In order to do that, the Special One must tighten up Roma’s defence and that is where there is good news — this is, after all, his speciality.

Roma’s post-shot expected goals against figure — the value of all on-target efforts they have conceded this season — is 44.43. Yet the Giallorossi have been breached on 50 occasions (see below).

That deficit points to charitable goalkeeping and defending — something Mourinho will be confident he can address.

Equally important, however, will be getting top-scorer Edin Dzeko back onside. 

The Bosnian spectacularly fell out with Fonseca and although the pair have since reconciled, it remains an unhappy marriage.

On the subject of which, eyes will also be on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Chris Smalling. 

The former United pair worked under Mourinho at Old Trafford and Mkhitaryan, in particular, was misused by the former Inter Milan coach.

Will it work?

Mourinho has longed to return to Serie A for a while. He won the treble with Inter Milan and a return to the San Siro has long looked plausible.

The fact he is taking charge of a side who are, at best, looking to qualify for the new Europa Conference League is indicative of his recent struggles.

In that sense, this appointment feels like a good fit. Both club and coach are down on their luck — restoring Roma from their ruins would go a long way to repairing Mourinho’s reputation.