Jose Mourinho has "banned staff from training" ahead of Europa League final with Sevilla

Jose Mourinho has reportedly "banned staff" from Roma training ahead of the Europa League final with Sevilla on Wednesday.

Mourinho is vying to win the competition for the competition for the third time at the Puskas Arena in Budapest and follow up Roma's Conference League success last season.

The Giallorossi beat Feyenoord 1-0 in the final in Tirana to claim a first trophy since 2008, which secured qualification to UEFA's secondary club competition this season.

Even at 60 Mourinho is desperate to add another trophy to his collection and a new report claims the lengths he is going to achieve success.

Corriere Dello Sport say Mourinho took the decision to completely lock down Roma training sessions at the club's Trigoria training base.

It means that only technical and medical staff deemed to be essential were allowed access, with no other eyes allowed this week as Mourinho and the squad completed final preparations.

Image: Alamy

Mourinho did the same before the Conference League final which Roma won and has retained the superstition for yet another European showpiece under the lights.

The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager could become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different teams against the record six-time winners.

Roma have played 14 games to get to this stage and a win would see them qualify for next season's Champions League, while make Mourinho will become the most successful coach in UEFA tournaments.

Image: Alamy

"History does not play," Mourinho said in his pre-match press conference.

"My colleague [Sevilla coach Jose Luis Mendilibar] thinks differently, I have respect for him. He believes history makes Sevilla favourites; I respect that. We are in the final because we deserve it, they have a history that we don't have.

"For them playing a Europa League final is a normal thing, for us it is an extraordinary event. For their fans traveling to a final, it's like going away in the league, for ours it will be unforgettable.

"The Sevilla players have more experience, but we've been playing together for two years."

Topics: Jose Mourinho, AS Roma, Europa League, Sevilla

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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