Revealed: Jose Mourinho's final Roma parting shot having felt 'betrayed' by sacking

The Serie A giants shocked the football world when they elected to part ways with the Portuguese in January, with Mourinho himself seen to be visibly shocked not long after the sacking. Italian outlet Il Messaggero (via TMW) back up this sentiment and reports that Mourinho felt "betrayed" by both his players and those higher up, following Daniele De Rossi's immediate appointment as his successor.

In apparent protest to that shock decision, Mourinho reportedly left his UEFA Conference League win ring behind. The item of jewellery was gifted to him by his players following their triumph over Feyenoord in 2022. But Mourinho is thought to have left that sentimental object behind, specifically inside captain Lorenzo Pelligrini's locker in the Roma dressing room.

Mourinho's Conference League win was a significant one. It was Roma's first ever European trophy and the first bit of silverware for 14 years. For Mourinho, the win marked his third separate continental trophy, following Champions League wins with Porto in 2004 and Inter in 2010, and Europa League glory with Manchester United in 2017. He became the first manager to achieve this feat in 2022, but could not take Roma to Europa League success the following year.

Some have tipped the legendary manager to return to Old Trafford amid recent pressure on Erik ten Hag, although a third stint at Chelsea has also been mooted following Mauricio Pochettino's dismal run of form. Mourinho has been linked with jobs at Newcastle, Barcelona,Napoli and Saudi Arabia, but for now remains an icon of the game with his recent appearance in the new adidas Predator advert.