Matic ‘convinced in less than five minutes’ by Mourinho to join Roma

Nemanja Matic wasted little time in deciding to join Roma and work with Jose Mourinho, explaining the Giallorossi coach “convinced me in less than five minutes”.

The Serbia international will play under the stewardship of Mourinho for a third time in his career, having already featured for the Portuguese at Chelsea and Manchester United.

Mourinho first signed the midfielder for Chelsea from Benfica in 2014 in a deal worth £40million ($50m), winning the Premier League in their sole season together.

Matic played at Stamford Bridge for a further two years after Mourinho’s departure, before the Portuguese coach re-signed him at United in 2017.

The following year Mourinho was relieved from his duties at Old Trafford, with Matic staying at United until last month, when he reunited with his former coach on a one-year deal in the Eternal City.

Matic has played 118 matches under Mourinho, the 33-year-old’s most appearances under a single manager in the Premier League, and could not turn down working with him once more.

“He convinced me in less than five minutes to come to Rome: when I left United he called me and I immediately said yes,” Matic told Il Messaggero.

“Mou has something extra that motivates and spurs you. I’ve never seen him satisfied, when he wins he already thinks about the next day. He is the first to be hungry for victories.

Only Frank Lampard (140) has played more games under Mourinho than Matic among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

Matic expects to settle straight into the Roma side, with his coach already familiar with his capabilities as the Giallorossi look to build on Europa Conference League glory from last season.

Their push for a spot in Italy’s top four will be aided by the arrival of Paulo Dybala, having beaten Napoli and Inter to the free agent’s signature after his contract expired with Juventus.

“Jose knows where I can play best, playing [as a number] four or five does not change much, the task is always to protect the defence and organise the plan of action in that area,” Matic added.

“Dybala will bring extra quality to help conquer challenges in the future. I faced him as an opponent and I know how dangerous he can be. 

“He reminds me of [Juan] Mata when he was in top form, when he won the World Cup and Euros as a key player with Spain.”