Jose Mourinho's time at AS Roma hasn't exactly been without bumpy moments.

While pulling the strings at the Stadio Olimpico was never going to be an easy task, the 'Special One' surely would have expected more than seventh place in Serie A by this point in the season.

It's looking increasingly unlikely that Mourinho will be able to guide the Romans to Champions League football when you consider that his side have only lost three fewer league games than they've won.

Inter Milan 2-0 AS Roma

The situation isn't especially rosy in cup competitions either with mid-week action in the Coppa Italia meaning that Mourinho's only hope of silverware lies with the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Roma were dumped out of Italy's premier cup competition at the San Siro on Tuesday night when Mourinho's triumphant return to Inter Milan turned out to be more of a fairy tale for the club as opposed to the coach.

Edin Dzeko's first-minute strike and Alexis Sanchez's stunning long-range effort meant that the only thing Mourinho had to celebrate on the night was the spine-tingling reception he received from Inter fans.

And while we've become used to Mourinho gracing Italian football with his trademark post-match rampages, it seems as though the 59-year-old reserved his polemic for the dressing room this time around.

Soccer Football - Coppa Italia - Quarter-Final - Inter Milan v AS Roma - San Siro, Milan, Italy - February 8, 2022 AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho reacts REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

Mourinho's reported rant to AS Roma squad

That's because an astonishing report from Il Corriere dello Sport claims to carry exactly what Mourinho said to his players after the defeat - and to say that it was cutting would be the mother of all understatements.

According to Football Italia's translation, Mourinho said in the post-match meeting attended by players, doctors and staff members: “I want to know why, you sh** yourself in the first ten minutes.

“And then I want to know why you sh** yourself against Milan for ten minutes. Each one of you, no exceptions.

“I want to know why you’ve become so small against big teams for the last two years. If we are small, referees will treat us as such. Inter are a super team, but rather than find motivation, you sh** yourself.

“The worse shortcoming for a man is lack of balls and personality. Are you scared about big games? Then go to play in Serie C, without pressure, without champions, and big stadiums. You are without balls and that’s the worse thing for a man.”

Soccer Football - Coppa Italia - Quarter-Final - Inter Milan v AS Roma - San Siro, Milan, Italy - February 8, 2022 AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

Wowsers. Just imagine being on the receiving end of that.

Mourinho's penchant for criticising his players

It would be naive to think that Mourinho is the only top manager to embark upon angry rants of this nature, but there's no denying that the Roma boss has gained something of a reputation for slamming his players.

Whether it's in press conferences, post-match interviews or in the dressing room itself, there's a pertinent debate to be had about just how effective Mourinho's methods prove to be in the current climate.

With his Roma spell doing little but reiterate that his managerial career is taking on a steady decline, you can't help cringing when you hear Mourinho ripping into his players for the umpteen-thousandth time.

"GET MAGUIRE OUT HE IS AN IDIOT!" (Football Terrace)