Jose Mourinho insists he and his Roma players ‘can never lose our dignity’ after Europa League final loss to Sevilla… despite referee Anthony Taylor waiting in parking lot to tell him that it’s a “fucking shame” after the game
Jose Mourinho has defended the actions of his Roma players after a moody Europa League final loss to Sevilla on Wednesday.
The Portuguese saw his side lose 4-1 on penalties after the sides were tied to a 1-1 deadlock at the end of extra time.
Mourinho, who will serve a sideline ban in Serie A this weekend after picking up five yellow cards during the season, has been infuriated by a number of decisions by referee Anthony Taylor.
He even clashed with the official, throwing abuse as he tried to leave Puskas Arena after waiting in the parking lot.
Nonetheless, the former Man United manager remained adamant that his side maintained their dignity in defeat and spoke of their pride after losing a European final for the first time.
Jose Mourinho was looking to become the most decorated European manager in history
Mourinho was outraged by a series of decisions made by Premier League referee Anthony Taylor
“I’ve won five European finals over the years and on that occasion I’m no less proud than the five times I’ve won,” Mourinho said after the game.
“I am proud of the players. I told them before that either we would walk away with the mug or we would be dead on our feet.
“We leave dead on our feet. The players are totally exhausted and so am I, physically and psychologically.
“We felt pressure against a team that has more talent than us. We lost a match but not the dignity. I have never gone home more proud than today, even when I won.
Mourinho branded Taylor a ‘fucking disgrace’ for his ‘bull****’ decisions and confronted him as he tried to leave Puskas Arena in an extraordinary row after last night’s Europa League final.
Taylor has been accused of ‘looking Spanish’ for the number of yellow cards he handed out – 13, a record for a European final – after Mourinho’s Roma side were beaten on penalties by Sevilla in Budapest.
Mourinho was on course to become the most decorated European manager in history with six trophies after Paulo Dybala’s opener gave Roma the lead.
But Sevilla, who maintained their incredible unbeaten record in the Europa League final, fought back with Gianluca Mancini’s own goal just before the hour mark.
Anthony Taylor had his work cut out for him, brandishing a record 13 yellow cards in the Europa League
Former Tottenham man Erik Lamela celebrates as Sevilla clinch a record seventh Europa League
Jose Mourinho was seething as he clashed with England referee Anthony Taylor in the parking lot
The centre-half’s miserable night was made worse when he was one of two Roma players to miss out on the spot as the Spanish side clinched their record seventh title.
Mourinho was seen clashing with officials throughout the game, shouting from the sidelines and restrained while arguing in extra time.
“We had also worked hard on the penalty shootout, but we missed two,” added Mourinho. “But all together, not just the penalty takers.
“The boys must go home peacefully, proud to have done what they did. These are my boys from Budapest.
The defeat dashed any hopes the Italian side had of qualifying for next season’s Champions League and heightened speculation that Mourinho might leave this summer.
The 60-year-old, who gave his second medal to a fan in the stands, has been linked with a move to French champions PSG this summer.
After the match, a dejected Mourinho threw his loser’s medal into the crowd and waved to the Roma faithful present.
