Paolo Di Canio slams Roma’s appointment of Jose Mourinho as “worst of the worst” in a leaked private WhatsApp call this week.
Just days after linking up with talkSPORT and The Sun, the Portuguese boss wasted no time in returning to management, after all, he did say he was always in football after being dismissed at Tottenham.
Serie A outfit Roma confirmed him as their new boss just two weeks after he was sacked by the Premier League outfit, in what was a surprise decision to everyone.
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Jose heads back to Italy after 11 years from departing Inter Milan, but will now take over at the Stadio Olimpico this summer ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
While many believe Roma could be a good fit for him, ex-footballer turned manager Di Canio has instead hit out at the Mourinho appointment in a private call and called him “finished”.
The West Ham legend, who made appearances for Roma’s rivals Lazio, reportedly left a phone message for a friend who is a fan of Mourinho’s new club.
A clip of the message has made its way onto YouTube, where Di Canio’s opinion of the Special One has gained plenty of attention.
“I understand you needed a big name at this moment, but it’s like when you sign a player who is finished.
“Mourinho just wanted a job with money, he’s had his third sacking in four years, kicked out from everywhere due to the incompatibility of his character and before that’s all he was good at, having character.
“You might enjoy yourselves in a few press conferences, because controversy makes for good theatre, but let me tell you: to reconstruct a team, he’s the worst you could possibly get.
“And I can say that because he was my favourite up until seven years ago, even more than Pep Guardiola.”
Di Canio has refused to apologise for the leaked WhatsApp audio recording in which he called former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho “the worst of the worst”.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport about the story on Thursday, Di Canio refused to apologise and claimed he actually praised Mourinho in later recordings.
“Firstly, I don’t have to apologise to anyone. It was a private conversation and I can do as I please,” Di Canio told the Italian publication.
“Secondly, that audio was part of another six or seven messages in which I said very positive things about Mourinho. It’s cowardly that they only leaked that part.
“It’s a ridiculous and pathetic story. We were talking for fun, I was making fun of an old friend.”
Di Canio added: “There was talk of [hiring Maurizio] Sarri, of playing attractive football. I said that Mourinho has lost appeal. He no longer seems to me to have the strength, the energy, to stay at the top level for 24 hours a day.
“My joke also meant that he won’t win the Scudetto, but maybe he will, who knows? With this Roma side you can reach the top six with your eyes closed.
“I didn’t say what I said to belittle Roma, but the opposite. Years ago, I would have said that Mourinho is a luxury for Roma, now I say that Roma is a luxury for Mourinho.”
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Fans reacted when Di Canio slams Mourinho as “worst of the worst” in a leaked WhatsApp call…
@adross91: This is the best take on Mourinho I’ve ever seen
@SamTheSpur: Agreed
@patricktyrant: FACTS!! #FuckJose
@thfcundanderes: And that from someone, who is a grade A-cunt himself…
@spursfandom: If only Paolo Di Canio wasn’t an outright self-declared fascist who gives fascist salutes in front of cheering crowds.
@mycenzo212: When Jose strikes back let no one cry.
@JBlincoTHFC: Spot on
@OliverMisher: Di Canio is SO right. I couldn’t have found better words to describe what As Roma did.
@PVearp: While Di Canio may be incorrect regarding which side of WWII were “the good guys” and other topics such as “the machinations of Europran Jewry” you cannot deny his take on Mourinho.
@Sunny_THFC: He’s not wrong but no doubt people will say he’s a bitter Lazio fan
@electricForest6: Spot on
@JohnBish21: He knows the score
@sammyhconway: Jesus Christ di canio has no chill 😭😭🤣🤣
@Stubbsinho: He’s low-key bang on
@COYSJordan94: Fucking hell 😂😂😂
@KidiabaPonyTail: I hate to say it, but the fascist has a point here.
@thfcAlex14: he’s SPITTINGGGGGGGGGG
@lilywhitescoys: Not wrong
@thfcdc1: Jose getting cooked before he even steps down there, he’s done. We gave him the benefit of the doubt because of that vacation he was on
@PaulTredgettPT: The worst of the worst. Well put, Paolo.
@hakano1882: Di Canio knows.
@perry_thfc27: My man’s spitting facts only!
@NathCOYS: Di Canio knows his stuff
@alao_seyi: Di Canio was chased out of premier league. He’s the worse coach ever after Frank De Boer
@RJcanfly: 🤣 This guy. You can just imagine him saying it too
@LillysPunisher: Di Canio used to play for Lazio so he’s going to hate Jose going to Roma as they’re arch rivals. Imagine Arsenal vs Spurs and multiply that by 10 😂
— Natan Cohen (@NatanCohen17) May 5, 2021
Always rated Di Canio https://t.co/hoPszvKMSy pic.twitter.com/KGix3FG96e
— ☪︎ (@NealCaffreyCI) May 6, 2021
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