If there's one thing we all love about Jose Mourinho, it's a good ol' bonkers press conference.
Whether it be his introductory "Special One" presser at Chelsea, or the "respect" one he stormed out of as the vultures swirled at Old Trafford, you can always rely on Jose for a good soundbite from a press conference.
His post-match chat with the press after his Roma side beat Genoa 1-0 on Thursday night was not quite as dramatic, but did contain a big claim, as Mourinho claimed that he was the "only" choice for the vacant Portugal job after the World Cup.
Mourinho makes classic Jose claim on Portugal job
Jose Mourinho is one for a lofty claim from time to time, so it doesn't surprise us that he chose a post-match press conference to reveal he had been in contention for the Portugal job.
The Roma boss had been heavily linked with the post in the media, after the departure of long-term coach Fernando Santos after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After the job went to Roberto Martinez last week, Mourinho felt the need to "thank" the Portuguese Football Association for allegedly offering him the job first - and claimed he was the "first" choice for the managerial role:
Today I was in a position to speak and I have spoken.
I will take advantage of that to thank the president of the Portuguese Football Association - what he said to me made me very proud. Portugal is my country and he told me that he would have done everything possible to get me, that I was not just his first choice but his only choice.
But I am here, and I will give everything for Roma.
It certainly doesn't surprise us to hear Mourinho bigging himself up but, given his pedigree in the game, and his link to his home country, we wouldn't be surprised if there's an element of truth to his claims.
Martinez does feel like an underwhelming appointment compared to "The Special One," and we imagine Portugal's chances of winning a major trophy may have been stronger under Jose.
Jose Mourinho has developed a connection with Roma and their fans (Photo: Shutterstock)
It is a testament to Jose Mourinho's connection with Roma that he supposedly chose to turn down the manager's job with Portugal. The ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager took charge in the Italian capital in 2021 and, last season, led them to an emotional triumph in the Europa Conference League.
Roma currently sit seventh in Serie A, just three points off the Champions League spots. They are also through to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia, and the knockout stages of the Europa League, where they will play Red Bull Salzburg in the play-off round.
No doubt Roma fans will be glad to have the continued services of Jose Mourinho at their disposal, as they enter a crucial period of the season.
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