Edin Dzeko on Roma and Inter: “Mourinho Didn’t Want Me to Leave”

Fenerbahce’s experienced striker Edin Dzeko expressed his happiness about working with Jose Mourinho and stated that the Portuguese coach did not want him to leave Roma. Dzeko said, “What he said has great value. I am very proud to work with him here.”

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Edin Dzeko reflected on his time in Italy and praised Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho.

Dzeko, who played for Roma and Inter in Serie A, recalled, “I remember my first match at the Olimpico after transferring to Inter. We won 3-0, and I scored. I felt the support of both teams’ fans beside me. The Olimpico was my home. It was a very strong feeling I hadn’t experienced before. I definitely felt that winning with Roma would be harder than what I felt at Inter.”

In response to a question about Roma’s new striker Artem Dovbyk, Dzeko said, “I know better than anyone how complex Serie A is. He was the top scorer in Spain last year. He faced some difficulties at first, but he did it like I did—he didn’t give up, and now everything is easier for him. I was also criticized at the beginning. I didn’t back down. After my first year in Italy, I could have left; that would have been the easiest choice. But I wanted to show myself to the people.”

Dzeko said about Jose Mourinho, “To be honest, I worked with him in Rome for a month before going to Roma. He wasn’t happy about my departure, and he made me feel that.”

The experienced striker also stated, “Jose is a great guy and has an incredible charisma. Even when he spoke as an opponent, I was there to listen. What he says has great value. I am very proud to work with him here.”