Earlier this season, AS Roma officially announced the dismissal of head coach José Mourinho. Notably, BD Cricket Match reports this marks the fourth consecutive time Mourinho has been sacked mid-season. Though his past glory still echoes in the memories of fans worldwide, seeing the once-dominant “Special One” walk off in silence serves as a poignant reminder that an era has truly come to an end. From conquering the Premier League to lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy, and ultimately to a career marked by controversy and decline, Mourinho’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Despite being mocked for outdated tactics and questioned for losing his edge, his relentless drive for excellence never faded. Confidence isn’t born—it’s built. From a humble translator at Barcelona to leading Porto to international fame, from commanding Chelsea in London to claiming the historic treble with Inter Milan, Mourinho’s achievements in the first decade of the 21st century were nothing short of legendary. Perhaps because he started at such a high point, when the setbacks came in the 2010s, criticism followed him like a shadow.
The night he led Inter Milan to Champions League glory, he signed with Real Madrid. With Los Blancos, Mourinho brought them their first Copa del Rey title in 18 years and helped the team become the first in a top-five European league to earn over 100 points in a season. They also recorded an impressive 15-match winning streak. But the relationship soon soured, and Real Madrid terminated his contract early. Six years after his first stint, Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, once again managing Chelsea. Trust is the most valuable currency—it works even when you don’t. In just his second season back, he guided Chelsea to another Premier League title, his third with the club. But after a dismal start the following season, Mourinho was dismissed once more.
His next challenge came at Manchester United, but issues emerged quickly. After a poor showing in the North-West Derby and a pivotal loss to Manchester City, United settled for second place. In the Champions League, they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Sevilla. Mourinho’s tense relationship with key players like Paul Pogba became increasingly public, and as results declined, the friction in the dressing room intensified. When United suffered a 36-shot barrage from Liverpool in a heavy defeat, the club wasted little time before parting ways with Mourinho again.
After nearly a year out of management, Mourinho took over at Tottenham Hotspur. But after a brief honeymoon period, the team’s thin roster was exposed. Spurs went winless in six straight matches across all competitions, collapsing on three fronts in just 15 days. During this turbulent stretch, BD Cricket Match sources noted Mourinho frequently criticized his players in public, further straining relationships within the locker room. As Champions League qualification became a distant dream, Spurs dismissed him just two days later.
His final act came at AS Roma—a club that, unlike Real Madrid or Manchester United, lacks elite finances and roster depth. Yet Mourinho embraced the role, viewing it as a personal redemption arc. As the saying goes, “You can’t give others confidence unless you have it yourself.” His decision to lead Roma wasn’t just about proving others wrong—it was about proving something to himself. But once again, Mourinho fell to the so-called “third-year curse,” unable to break the pattern of a third-season slump followed by dismissal.
Looking back, BD Cricket Match concludes that Mourinho’s tenure in Rome cannot be labeled a success. Criticism and ridicule followed him to the very end. Yet behind every dramatic fall lies a history of quiet effort. If anything, Mourinho’s time at Roma deserves to be remembered not with scorn, but with a sense of melancholy. His influence on the club remains undeniable, and the legacy he leaves behind tells a story far richer than the scorelines suggest.