'I wasn't the problem' - Nemanja Matic blasts former side for 'broken promises' as ex-Man Utd & Chelsea midfielder says he 'deserved respect' after agreeing to reunite with Jose Mourinho

The Serbian international, now playing for Sassuolo, has candidly reflected on his single season at Roma in 2022-23. The midfielder, who joined Roma from Manchester United after five years at Old Trafford, claimed he was drawn to the capital club due to Mourinho and the promise of an ambitious project. Despite turning down longer offers elsewhere, Matic says Roma only offered him a one-year contract and subsequently failed to honour agreements regarding an automatic extension based on performance.

Speaking to Sky Sport, Matic expressed frustration with what he described as a lack of respect from Roma’s management after being lured to join the club by coach Jose Mourinho. 

He said: "When I chose Roma and left Manchester United, I accepted a one-year contract even though I had other teams. When the offer came, I wasn't willing to accept because they'd only offered me a one-year contract. Then I spoke to Mourinho, and in the end I chose Roma for him and for the fans. They told me we'd sign a contract extension in January, but at that point, no one showed up.

"In my opinion, I played well at Roma. I was told I'd get an automatic renewal if I played at least 50 per cent of the games, but that wasn't the agreement we made the previous summer. I felt like I was constantly on trial, under scrutiny. I deserved respect. At that point, I spoke to the club, saying I'd give my all until the end of the season, but that at the end of the season we'd part ways. 

"I wasn't the problem, but the people who had promised me things they didn't keep. I lacked stability, although I didn't lack the love of the fans, who respected me more than the club. Before today, I'd never wanted to talk about it, but three years later I can say it, also because the directors who were there then are no longer there. I don't want to say they were unfair, but I think I deserved more respect."

Matic, now 37, ended up making 50 appearances for the Italian side. Despite starting all 13 of the Europa League matches for which he was available, he was in the starting XI just 16 times in Serie A, with a further 19 appearances coming as a substitute. He then left to join Rennes in France but ended up at Lyon a few months later. After a season-and-a-half with the French side, he moved back to Italy to join Sassuolo in a free transfer. 

Matic says the flurry of short-term moves were influenced by family considerations and the desire for consistent playing time, adding: "I left Rennes because there wasn’t an international school for my children, and joined Lyon before moving to Sassuolo." 

Now settled at Sassuolo, Matic continues to perform in Serie A at 37, demonstrating high professionalism despite past setbacks. He has started all of their matches since he joined and wore the captain's armband in the recent 1-0 win against Hellas Verona.