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Jose Mourinho Forgot About Roma Defender Chris Smalling Less Than A Year After Managing Him

Jose Mourinho Forgot About Roma Defender Chris Smalling Less Than A Year After Managing Him

Mourinho will be managing the former Manchester United defender again, as well as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, after getting a new job in Serie A.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Jose Mourinho will have to reacquaint himself with Chris Smalling again, after forgetting the Roma defender less than a year after leaving Manchester United.

On Tuesday afternoon it was confirmed that Mourinho would be taking over as Roma manager at the end of the year, just months after being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur.

It was actually the second job the former Spurs boss has signed for in the past week, with the 58-year-old joining talkSPORT for the summer's Euro 2020 tournament.

Whilst the Roma news came as a surprise to many, it will come as particularly big news to Smalling, who has previous with the Portuguese manager.

Smalling had his run ins with Mourinho at Old Trafford around injuries but less than a year after leaving the north west, Mourinho had completely forgotten about his former centre back.

In an interview in September 2019, the former United boss was asked to name three English defenders he'd managed. Gary Cahill and John Terry were quickly remembered but that's where it all fell apart.

Whilst the former Porto boss could remember two men from his Chelsea days, players from his more recent past eluded him.

Not only Smalling but Phil Jones and Luke Shaw, who has definitely improved since his former boss moved on, didn't come to mind.

If they are looking for any solace, at least Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson and Wayne Bridge from his days in west London also didn't come to mind.

Smalling reacting to the news (or reacting during Roma's loss to United last week). Image: PA Images
Smalling reacting to the news (or reacting during Roma's loss to United last week). Image: PA Images

Smalling was haunted by his time as a United player just last week, when he had a poor game as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team beat Roma 6-2 in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

During his previous stint with Mourinho, the manager complained about the England defender not playing through an injury.

He might not be the only Giallorossi player who will have added interest in the new manager, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan never really fitting in at United under Mourinho.

Will the former 'Special One' be able to get more out of Smalling and Mkhitaryan in Italy?

Featured Image Credit: LiveScore

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Football, Manchester United, Serie A, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Roma, Premier League