Jose Mourinho says he has ‘zero interest’ in signing any of the players he managed at AS Roma for his new club Fenerbahce, including former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.
The 61-year-old, who will be remembered at United for winning the Europa League in 2017, was unveiled as the new manager of Turkish giants Fenerbahce over the weekend.
Thousands of adoring fans gathered at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul to greet Mourinho.
Mourinho is expected to bolster his squad with new signings, although it doesn’t sound like they will be joining him from Roma where he spent two-and-a-half seasons.
However, reports have said Mourinho will try to bring Lukaku to Turkey. He has already managed the Belgian striker at Roma, United and Chelsea.
Lukaku, 31, remains contracted to Chelsea following his return to Stamford Bridge, which set the club back a whopping £97.5million.
Speaking at his press conference, Mourinho said (via the Metro): “Names of my previous players, previous club, I want to make it 100 percent my word. I have zero interest in every player or any player from AS Roma, zero interest.
“It’s not the time to rush. Not time to feel emotions. It is time to come and to make the things right which is what we try to do.”
Mourinho was pressed further by the reporters attending his press conference. They sought clarification about claims that he had already contacted some former players about joining him at Fenerbahce.
“Lots of rumours when I’m in any club,” Mourinho added.
“I understand Fenerbahce is not different, the truth is that I have never spoke about one single player for a possible transfer market.
“Everything is about project, everything is about the stability I want to find now we move a bit in direct of profiles that we need, to improve the team. Not at all ever have I spoken about a name with anyone.”
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