Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti has dropped his two cents on former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after he was sacked by Roma back in January.
Jose Mourinho enjoyed success in his debut season at Roma and led the Serie A outfit to the Europa Conference League title in 2022.
However, the former Manchester United manager fell short of a second European title at Roma after his side lost on penalties in the Europa League final in 2023.
Mourinho’s third season in charge at the Stadio Olimpico proved to be his last, with Roma struggling under the ‘Special One’ in the 2023-24 season.
Roma were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by city rivals Lazio and the Italian side were ninth in Serie A at the time of Mourinho’s dismissal at the club.
Daniele De Rossi would replace Mourinho until the end of the season, but the Serie A side made the Roma legend’s appointment permanent in April.
Mourinho has been out of management since his time at Roma and the 61-year-old Portuguese manager has currently ruled out the idea of retiring.
The ex-Roma and United boss has flirted with the idea of returning to management and outlined what he expects next from a future club that would want him.
READ MORE: Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag drops savage dig on Jose Mourinho, he doesn’t hold back
Zanetti on former Man Utd boss Mourinho
Javier Zanetti, who is currently the vice-president of Inter Milan, spent the large majority of his legendary club playing career in the Serie A.
The 50-year-old former full-back was at the San Siro when Jose Mourinho became the head coach of Inter in 2008 and played under the ‘Special One.’
Mourinho achieved incredible success during his prolific spell at the San Siro, including leading Inter to a continental treble in the 2009-10 season.
Zanetti has opened up on the former United and Inter manager’s sacking from Roma after admitting that he felt “sorry” for Mourinho.
The Inter legend claimed that Mourinho did not “expect to be sent away like this,” despite praising the work of Daniele De Rossi at Roma.
When asked about Mourinho, Zanetti told DAZN (via TuttoMercatoWeb): “Yes, yes. Now he’s [Mourinho] calm.
“I feel sorry for him because I know how much he cares for his teams. He didn’t expect to be sent away like this… De Rossi is doing a great job anyway.”
Mourinho on his time at Man Utd
Despite his time at United ending with his sacking, Mourinho still holds a strong affinity with Red Devils fans and opened up about his connection to the club.
Mourinho, who lifted a Europa League and a League Cup in his debut season at United, said he was “so proud” of managing the Premier League club.
“I loved it, I loved my time there. I was so proud of going there,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE in February.
“I was even prouder when a couple of years later I went back as a Sky commentator with Roy Keane and felt the reaction of the crowd. I was like, ‘Wow.’
“I always felt like we were together in the time I was there, but to have that reaction touched me. I loved my time there.
“The club, the history, everything, to be a coach in the same club as Sir Alex, you have to feel it, you have to feel the pride and responsibility and I felt it.
“It was a hell of a job, you know, in the first season to win the Europa League was great, to qualify for the Champions League was great, too.”