Roma supporters gushed with support for Jose Mourinho in their first game without the Portuguese after he was sacked by the Serie A club earlier in the week.
Mourinho appeared distraught to have lost his position at the Italian giants following two-and-a-half years in the country’s capital during which time he led the club to European success.
Roma’s legendary midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been placed in intermediate charge until the end of the season, but fans at the Stadio Olimpico for Saturday’s match against Verona made their feelings clear.
Mourinho was tearful on the day he lost his position at the club as fans shouted ‘thank you’ in the direction of the 60-year-old. They have now showed their appreciation with mass demonstrations at the club stadium.
Banners and pictures of the former head coach were held up by those in the stands as Roma went on to record their first league win since December 23 with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Pellegrini earning a 2-1 victory.
Roma supporters paid their respects to recently sacked manager Jose Mourinho on Saturday
Pictures of Mourinho during his time at the club were held up by some supporters at the game
Banners celebrating Mourinho’s time at the club were erected in the stands at the Stadio Olimpico
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One huge banner erected during the game honoured Mourinho’s time spent at the club, read: ‘Memories don’t have contracts.
‘The smiles you gave us and everything you stood up for our Romanismo will always be respected. Thanks, Mister!’ ‘You defended us against everything and everyone.
‘Roma doesn’t forget. Thank you Mr. Jose!’ ‘The only one to defend us, the last one to surrender. Obrigado Jose!’ ‘Few of us have represented us the way you did. Every Romanista will be grateful to you.’
‘It was a privilege to have you on our side. Thank you, José!’ ‘Mou, one of us.’ ‘You defended our Roma, you led us to victory. José Mourinho, eternal glory!’
Other remembrance demonstrations also took place with chanting heard around the stadium at various points in the match as Mourinho’s name echoed around the 72,000-seater stadium.
Mourinho’s time at the club had various high and low points with their triumph in the Europa Conference League in 2022 one of the greatest achievements in Roma’s history.
Roma went on to win their first game since Mourinho’s sacking 2-1 against Hellas Verona
Interim Roma manager Daniele de Rossi got his temporary tenure off to a winning start
He also guided them to the Europa League final last season, before they were defeated by Sevilla on penalties.
Mourinho’s final game in charge was Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to AC Milan – which he had to watch from the stands – meaning the Stadio Olimpico-based outfit had won just one of their past six league games before Saturday.