José Mourinho’s return to the Olimpico came with the unusual warmth reserved for a former manager who remains part of Roma’s modern memory. He arrived as an opponent, but the stadium made clear that he would not be treated as an enemy.
The decision
Roma supporters chose to mark Mourinho’s place in the club’s story rather than dwell on the circumstances of his departure. For two days, the Portuguese coach had dominated conversation in the capital, where his time in charge is remembered for its bond with the public as much as for its results.
When Mourinho first arrived in 2021, more than 10,000 fans greeted him. He quickly set an ambitious tone, saying he expected Roma supporters to be celebrating a trophy within three years. The prediction was fulfilled at the first opportunity, when Roma won the Conference League in Tirana after Nicolò Zaniolo’s goal against Feyenoord.
That night became the defining image of Mourinho’s Roma: a European trophy, a city celebrating in yellow and red, and a manager who had made himself the public defender of the club through disputes, disappointments and criticism of the team’s football. Supporters also carry the hurt of the Europa League final in Budapest, with its refereeing debate and penalty shoot-out still part of the emotional record.
A mural created two days before the match showed Mourinho alongside a child holding the Conference League trophy. It was later vandalised. Near the Colosseum, another tribute appeared on a banner honouring the coach for teaching supporters to honour Rome through wounds and victories alike.
Mourinho had admitted before the game that controlling his emotions would be difficult. He did not emerge with his players for the warm-up, remaining in the dressing room before his name was announced. A sold-out Olimpico responded with sustained applause as he entered the pitch.
The Curva and the wider stadium continued the tribute after kick-off. One message hailed him with “Ave Mou”, while another declared that anyone who brings glory to Rome will be honoured forever. The supporters’ chant for him was repeated three times.
Sunday’s picture
The occasion also brought Mourinho face to face with Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma’s current coach. It was their 11th meeting as managers, almost two decades after the first in 2008, when Mourinho praised the spirit and approach of Gasperini’s Genoa.
Gasperini’s work has developed considerably since then, but his teams’ competitive character remains familiar. At Roma, he is attempting to build a campaign capable of giving the supporters another season to remember, without making the kind of public promises that accompanied Mourinho’s arrival.
For the home crowd, the evening placed Roma’s recent past alongside its present. Mourinho’s Conference League triumph remains a landmark; Gasperini now carries the responsibility of creating the next chapter. Once the match began, however, the affection had to give way to competition, if only for 90 minutes.
