Jose Mourinho threw his runners-up medal into the crowd and refused to commit his future to Roma after the Italian club lost to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday. After 120 minutes of play concluded with the score tied, the Spanish team mercilessly defeated Mourinho’s team on penalties, handing the Portuguese manager his first defeat in a European final.

Roma’s early goal from Paulo Dybala was cancelled out by Gianluca Mancini’s own goal in the second half, forcing penalties to decide this year’s Europa League champions. Sevilla eventually maintained their composure to win the game and earn a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season, while Roma was left with nothing and would not participate in top-tier European football in 2023/24 as a result.

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‘I can’t say I will be here next season’ – Jose Mourinho after crushing Europa League defeat

Jose Mourinho appeared unconcerned about earning his Europa League runners-up medal, which he swiftly flung into the bleachers as he greeted Roma supporters before leaving the pitch after the final whistle. In his post-game press conference, he continued to raise questions about his future at the club by declining to confirm if he would be staying at the Stadio Olimpico for an another season. He said:

“I can’t say I will be here next season. I will go on holiday on Monday, then we will speak. I told the owners I will tell them if I start talks with another club. As of now no other club called me. It is time for me to talk to the owners. It is time for the owners to talk to me.”

During the tense game at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, referee Anthony Taylor issued 13 bookings, including those to the Roma manager and several players, earning harsh criticism from Jose Mourinho. While VAR overruled an early judgement to award Sevilla a penalty for a tackle on Lucas Ocampos by Roger Ibanez, Roma were also denied a penalty despite what could have been a handball by Fernando. An enraged Jose Mourinho continued:

“I must say we’re used to this. This is a European final and with this kind of refereeing it is hard to accept. If we talk about refereeing situations, it’s not two or three. It is many, quite apart from the big decisions. Those of us who have been in football a long time realise immediately what is going on.

Jose Mourinho might walk away from the Roma job after losing the Europa League final against Sevilla. Credits: Twitter

“[Lorenzo] Pellegrini falls in box and given a yellow card. Ocampos did exactly the same thing and he doesn’t get one. It’s a scandal. VAR called the referee and shames Ocampos but there’s no card given. [Erik] Lamela, who, by the way, scored one of the penalties, deserved a second yellow but didn’t get it.

“And let’s not even talk about the big decisions. That’s just the small details. I told my players you can lose a match but never your dignity. We lost today but we did not lose our dignity. I won five finals but I have never been more proud than I am today. Happier, yes, but not more proud.”

For the entirety of the season, rumours have swirled about Paris Saint-Germain, but Jose Mourinho has always insisted he hasn’t spoken to any interested party. Without a doubt, Mourinho would desire one last shot at the big time with a squad that has financial clout. In this regard, moving to Paris would be a far better choice than remaining in Rome, although it’s unlikely that Parisian fans would show him quite as much adoration as they do in the Italian city.