Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was asked if he was looking forward to facing Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo in his new job at Roma.
Jose Mourinho has joked he would be able to handle Cristiano Ronaldo if he were a defender, as he was unveiled as the new Roma manager.
Former Manchester United manager Mourinho has been unveiled as the new Roma boss after he was sacked by Tottenham earlier this year, and took his first press conference to defend his record at his recent clubs.
Mourinho argued that his three trophies with United, and his Carabao Cup run with Spurs were evidence of successful spells at both clubs.
“I am a victim of how people look at me,” Mourinho said. “At Manchester, three titles (United also won the Community Shield) and it was a disaster. At Tottenham, they didn’t keep me for the final and, for me, a disaster. What is a disaster for me is a success for others.”
“The criticisms? I have nothing to answer. My last three clubs. Scudetto (title) with Chelsea, three cups with United, a final with Tottenham. What for me is a disaster someone has never done in their life. That’s how it is. It’s my fault.”
Mourinho wasn’t just on the defence, however, as he showed his playful side when asked about the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.
In his response, Mourinho said Ronaldo won’t be worrying about his return to Serie A, but it might be different if the manager was on the pitch.
“Ronaldo doesn’t have to worry about me, because I don’t play at centre-back,” he said.
“If I played, of course I would knock him down, but I don’t have the quality for that.
“And I’m a little old for that.”