Mourinho aiming for Champions League qualification with Roma

Roma will target Champions League qualification next season, Jose Mourinho has insisted.

The capital club are in a tussle with city rivals Lazio for fifth place in Serie A, and have a Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord to look forward to on May 25, with Mourinho becoming the first coach to reach the final of a major European competition with four different clubs.

Success in Europe would mark a brilliant achievement in Mourinho’s first season at Roma, who are 10 points adrift of the top four in Italy’s top flight.

Regardless of the final outcome of Roma’s campaign, Mourinho’s goal for the 2022-23 campaign is clear.

“We want to try and get into the Champions League but when you look at the level of investment at Inter, Milan and Juventus, you realise three of these spots should be closed,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“There is a fourth spot, last season it was Atalanta, this season it’s Napoli, can we get there next season? I think we can.

“In this second part of the season, after the January transfer window, we did small [changes] enough to improve the squad. I’m not as lucky as some coaches who can buy what they want.

“We can improve things. Next season after this year of work and evolution at every level I think we have a chance and that’s the next target for next season.”

4 – José Mourinho is the first manager to reach the final of a major European competition with four different clubs, having done so with Porto (UEFA Cup & Champions League), Inter (Champions League), Man Utd (Europa League) and now Roma (Europa Conference League). Special. pic.twitter.com/fTRYaCVA6k

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 5, 2022

Mourinho was also questioned over his future, but he has no plans on leaving Roma any time soon.

“In this moment, everything is very calm because I have two more years of a contract,” Mourinho said.

“The club didn’t approach me to try to extend so they don’t put me in a situation of accept or don’t accept. Everything is calm, stable and that is the way it has to be.

“I have to finish the season as best we can and 100 per cent start next season because I am not looking for a change, my people know that. I couldn’t leave the club in my second season, I couldn’t do that to the club. So next season I am here.”

Newcastle United were one of the sides linked to Mourinho before they appointed Eddie Howe, who has since guided them to Premier League safety.

“I learned what Newcastle is and how to like the club very much through Bobby’s [Robson] eyes and heart,” Mourinho said.

“I’m very happy that they found their stability. Eddie is doing good work, the club gave the tools for a change in the January market and I wish them the best.”