Can Mourinho complete continental CV?

Jose Mourinho is a man that has grown accustomed, through the years, to getting what he wants. The former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid boss is used to lining his mantelpiece with prestigious pieces of silverware. However, success has dried up a little in more recent times, as questions begin to be asked of methods that once delivered Champions League crowns at Porto and Inter. All in all, though, he remains one of the most prominent and respected coaches in the business.

Roma were more than happy to hand another lucrative contract to the enigmatic Portuguese manager when luring him back to Italy in the summer of 2021 and they are offering him a shot at one particular prize that Mourinho has never had his hands on.

The competition providing a route to said trophy is the Europa Conference League, with that event being added to UEFA’s already busy schedule for the first time in 2021-22. Roma have made steady enough progress through it to this point and top online football betting markets have them priced at odds of 4/1 to go all the way and claim an ultimate prize at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana on May 25.

José Mourinho celebrates his 1,000th game as coach with a last-gasp win against Sassuolo. 👏👏

🏟️ 638 victories
🏆 25 trophies#UECL pic.twitter.com/vcU2KeILkb

— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) September 12, 2021

There was a rather humbling 6-1 defeat away at Bodo/Glimt to endure at one stage but said setback has proved to be a mere bump on an otherwise relatively smooth path. With Mourinho, though, things are rarely straightforward and you get the sense that there are fireworks to come at some stage.

Another medal?

The man calling the shots at a heavyweight outfit from the Italian capital will hope that said display is only given a green light once a celebration party is sparked during a visit to the Albanian capital. He is not someone to settle for second best and will be making his current charges painfully aware of that.

Mourinho has already savored success in the Champions League, UEFA Cup, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Serie A, Coppa Italia, La Liga, and Copa del Rey. Evidently, there aren't too many boxes left for him to tick.

He has always prided himself on being able to deliver under the most intense of pressure and of always being able to remain one step ahead of his fellow bosses. Europa Conference League success would mean plenty to Roma as a collective, with the club having gone 14 years without a major honor, but it would be particularly sweet for a man in the dugout.

🟡1⃣0⃣0⃣🔴

Jose Mourinho brings up a century of Serie A matches as a coach! 👏#ASRoma #RomaGenoa pic.twitter.com/pZierZgUJ8

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) February 5, 2022

History-making has always been Mourinho’s thing, since he first become the self-anointed ‘Special One’, and another entry in the record books may be his for the taking. To win a competition in its maiden year ensures that a place in football folklore can never be erased.

It is that kind of challenge that a well-traveled tactician thrives on. For competitors of his nature, there is always another target to be hit. Obviously, it will not be easy to claim the Europa Conference League title, but nothing ever is with Mourinho and yet he has still made a habit of adding to a medal collection that is once again close to completion.