Aiming For Long-term Success With AS Roma, Mourinho: I'm Not Here For Vacation

Jose M\

JAKARTA - Jose Mourinho said he was not in Italy for holiday when Thursday was introduced as AS Roma coach. He also stressed that he wanted to build on the continued success for the club rather than rushing to end a trophy drought.

The former Tottenham manager was appointed Paulo Fonseca's successor at the end of last season after Roma finished seventh in Serie A and failed to end their 13-year wait for the league title.

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— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 8, 2021

"In football the word 'time' sometimes doesn't exist, but in this case it does exist and it's fundamental," Mourinho told a news conference.

"This club does not want success today but problems later, but a sustainable project for the future. That is the main reason I am here. Now is the time to work. I am not here for holidays," said Mourinho.

️ Tutte le parole di José Mourinho nella conferenza stampa di oggi▶️ https://t.co/9flWIo3Vrq#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/VoGK4c5bhg

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 8, 2021

Mourinho's appointment was greeted with euphoria by Roma supporters who hoped that the man who had led Inter Milan to a stunning treble in the 2009-2010 season could bring them back to the top of Italian football and end their trophy drought since the Coppa Italia 2007-2008.

"We can't escape the fact that this club hasn't won a lot lately. Last season we finished 29 points behind the league leaders and 16 points from the top four, we have to find answers to these questions," he said.

"Whether it's the owners, the sporting director, they know better than me how much work to do, but we will try to lift the trophy. It's not about coming in and winning as soon as possible."

While it's easy to promise titles, it takes time and hard work, he added. "The owners don't want separate success, they want to get to that level and stay there. That's much more difficult to achieve. We want to be financially sustainable and we're on the same page."

Definita la prima parte delle amichevoli estive: si parte contro il Montecatini a Trigoria il 15...📄 https://t.co/V3yxH9tdXG#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/xEWvarL7vK

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 7, 2021

Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham in April, one week before losing the League Cup final to Manchester City. The manager has glorified his record after being heavily criticized in England during his time with Spurs, Manchester United and Chelsea.

"In my last three clubs, I won the Premier League with Chelsea, three trophies with United, reached the League Cup final with Tottenham. What is considered a disaster for me is what other coaches have never achieved in their lives," added Mourinho.