Portuguese midfielder Sergio Oliveira – who joined Roma for a brief loan spell last season and helped pave the way to a historic Conference League victory in Tirana – was asked about the prospect of re-teaming with Nicolo Zaniolo at Galatasaray as well as Jose Mourinho’s future in the Italian capital.
“Zaniolo? I’m very happy for him and obviously for us at Galatasaray,” Oliveira told Corriere dello Sport. “I think this is the perfect place for him after the difficulties he encountered playing with Roma. Here he can compete for the league title and also a Champions League campaign.”
“Zaniolo’s got amazing potential and I’m sure he’ll show it here in Istanbul,” he added.
“Roma? It was a wonderful experience from every point of view. The club is run very well. Unfortunately I didn’t stay much and at the end of the season I decided to take this opportunity at Galatasaray. But I can only speak well of Roma, who I’ll be happy to meet again in a friendly next summer.”
“Mourinho? For me he’s the absolute number one. I’ve never seen a coach like him. I liked him right away because he has the same mentality as me: he always wants to win and then says things to your face. He’s definitely not for everyone.”
“He’s doing very well at Roma. Aesthetic doesn’t matter in football, what matters are the results on the pitch. And he’s getting them…”
“I know for a fact that he loves it at Roma and enjoys coaching his teams day in and day out.”
