Jose Mourinho holds up five fingers as Roma celebrate UEFA Europa Conference League glory
Jose Mourinho has won the UEFA Europa Conference League with AS Roma.
On a tense Wednesday evening in Tirana, Albania, the ‘Special One’ drew the curtains on his first season in the Italian capital by delivering the club’s first ever major European trophy.
Having only previously scooped the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup across its illustrious history, Roma finally broke their continental duck thanks to a typically canny display from Mourinho’s side.
AS Roma 1-0 Feyenoord
Nevertheless, Roma didn’t have it all their own way at the Arena Kombëtare with a plucky Feyenoord side proving unlucky not to find the back of the net in what ended in a 1-0 scoreline.
Nicolò Zaniolo proved the match-winner in the first-half when he beautifully brought down a long ball on his chest, before nipping his finish past the onrushing Justin Bijlow.
From there on out, Roma’s performance felt distinctly Mourinho-esque with the defensive mettle of Chris Smalling and goalkeeping heroics of Rui Patricio ultimately making the difference.
Mourinho soaks up the glory
Throw in grit and determination by the spadeful in the closing minutes of the game and the final whistle allowed Mourinho to celebrate getting his hands on all three of UEFA’s major honours.
And bearing in mind that the iconic Portuguese coach had broken down in tears after the semi-final triumph, you won’t be surprised to learn that he was overjoyed with winning the final.
In fact, footage appeared to show a clearly elated Mourinho making one of the hand gestures that we’ve become so used to seeing him produce across his career.
On this occasion, the 59-year-old could be seen lifting five fingers in the air in what many are assuming to be a reference to the five European trophies that he’s lifted.
𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀! 😏✋
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 25, 2022
Of course, Jose Mourinho is showing everyone how many European trophies he has won! #UECL #UECLfinal
Watch Now 👉 https://t.co/NRYe31nXnO pic.twitter.com/S8LkBi1iOo
Look at how happy José Mourinho is 🥹#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/27U1JsWgdl
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 25, 2022
Jose Mourinho reminding everyone how many European titles he has won. 🤚 pic.twitter.com/uEoaMc0LPq
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 25, 2022
Roma have finally done it! They've won a major European trophy for the first time!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 25, 2022
History is made. 🐺#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/dNNdA7EBqK
Mourinho’s superb European record
Mourinho won both the UEFA Cup and Champions League with FC Porto, lifted ‘Big Ears’ again at Inter Milan and then led Manchester United to Europa League glory.
Now, the Europa Conference League can join that burgeoning trophy cabinet with the debut year of the competition coming to something of a fitting end in seeing an icon like Mourinho prevail.
With his spells at United and Tottenham Hotspur having ultimately ended in disappointment, it’s certainly nice to see one of football’s most enigmatic coaches lifting major silverware once again.
You can rest assured that Mourinho won’t want to go through another five-year drought in a hurry. Huh, maybe the gesture isn’t about European trophies, after all… only joking.