New manager Jose Mourinho began work at AS Roma on Friday promising to restore long-term prosperity after the Serie A club came 29 points behind champions Internazionale in seventh last season.
“We want to make a Roma of success, but a future of success — not an isolated moment of success … we want to do something sustainable,” he told the club website.
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Asked what had changed since he led Inter to two league titles in 2009 and 2010 and a Champions League win in 2010, Mourinho pointed at his record around Europe, including stops at Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“Experience — it looks like everything becomes déjà vu because you go through so many experiences. Since I left Italy I went to Real Madrid, which was an incredible experience, and I reached my dream of winning in Italy, England and Spain,” he explained.
“With so many experiences, and learning in the good moments and the bad moments, I am much more prepared now than I was.”
The 58-year-old Portuguese coach said he had an excellent relationship with club owners the Friedkin Group and general manager Tiago Pinto, although he did drop a hint that he would like some additions to the squad.
“I hope that the bosses and director Tiago have some gifts for me, because it would be nice. It would be an extra motivation for me,” he said.
On his first day in charge, Mourinho said he planned to stick around until the club, which has not won a trophy since the Copa Italia in 2008, had been returned to its former glory.
“Hopefully that success arrives with me, because the contract is a three-year contract — or, the first contract is, maybe there will be a second one day. So I hope that the results of our work will come during my time,” he said.
