Kumbulla on Mourinho: “I still can’t believe it. It’s like a dream to be coached by him.”


Roma defender Marash Kumbulla recounted his first season in the Italian capital and also discussed the club’s recent appointment of José Mourinho.

Speaking while on national team duty with Albania, the young defender recalled his whirlwind transfer to Roma last summer from boyhood club Hellas Verona.


“I was flattered because a lot of strong teams wanted me but when I heard Roma wanted me it was an easy decision,” he stated to Goal.com.

“Within a few hours I had decided to go to Rome and I was so happy about it. Obviously I wanted to play more, but when you’re in a very good team with very talented players sometimes it’s difficult to find space.”

As for the Giallorossi’s decision to hire former Manchester United boss José Mourinho, the 21 year-old was elated that he’ll have the opportunity to be coached by ‘The Special One’.

“I still can’t believe it. It’s like a dream to be coached by Mourinho and it’s going to be another reason to improve and grow a lot more,” Kumbulla admitted.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet but I know I’ll speak to him when he arrives in Roma and it’s going to be an incredible experience. The most important thing Mourinho will bring to Roma is a winning mentality.

“Everybody knows that he has won something in every team he has managed. I will learn a lot of tactical and technical things from him but the most important thing is the winning mentality.”