Heartbreaking footage emerges of Jose Mourinho in tears after Roma sacking as replacement already named

Footage of an emotional Jose Mourinho has emerged following his dismissal as Roma manager.

On Tuesday Roma sacked Mourinho, bringing an end to his two-and-a-half year spell as manager.

The Portuguese coach guided the Italian club to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022, but this season his side have struggled in Serie A.

The Capital club currently find themselves ninth in the table, having won just eight of their 20 league games.

The final straw for club bosses was a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan on Sunday, which came just days after Roma were dumped out of the Coppa Italia by arch-rivals Lazio.

Former Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been confirmed as Mourinho's successor on a contract until the end of the season.

Despite the on-field struggles this season, Mourinho is a popular figure among Roma supporters. On Tuesday morning plenty of fans turned up to Roma's training ground to say goodbye to their departing coach.

It appears that the feeling is mutual, as footage has emerged on X of a tearful Mourinho saying goodbye to the club's fans.

🚨JOSÈ #MOURINHO ESCE DA FRIGORIA E SI FERMA CON I TIFOSI
IL MISTER EMOZIONATISSIMO SI BATTE IL CUORE❤️🐺@calciomercatoit pic.twitter.com/8XQAqo9rUD

— Francesco Iucca (@francescoiucca) January 16, 2024

Mourinho's contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, but Roma chiefs decided they'd be better off getting rid of him now.

Roma co-owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin said: "We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interests of the club. We wish Jose and his assistants all the best in their future endeavours."

Mourinho will receive about £3 million in compensation from the club following the sixth sacking of his career, taking his career earnings from pay-offs to over £85 million.

There is speculation that Mourinho's next job could be at Newcastle, where manager Eddie Howe is under pressure following an underwhelming season so far.