Jose Mourinho sacked by Roma as decision made 'in best interests of the club'

Jose Mourinho was removed as Roma manager “with immediate effect” on Tuesday, ending a turbulent time at the Serie A club for the veteran coach.

The decision came two days after a 3-1 defeat at AC Milan left Roma in ninth place in Serie A and at risk of missing out on the Champions League for a sixth straight season.

Roma, who are 22 points behind league leaders Inter Milan, said the decision was made with the "best interests" of the team in mind.

"AS Roma can confirm that Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff will leave the club with immediate effect," the club said in a statement.

"We would like to thank Jose on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for his passion and efforts since his arrival at the club," club owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin added in the statement.

"We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interest of the club.

"We wish Jose and his assistants all the best in their future endeavours."

Roma have taken just four points from their last five league matches and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia last week in a 1-0 defeat to rivals Lazio.

Following that defeat, Mourinho had likened himself to fictional wizard Harry Potter, saying his position at the club was raising fans' expectations for success.

Roma added that updates on the coaching staff “will follow imminently.”

Thanks for everything on behalf of everyone at AS Roma, José! #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/yYkKgF7Rhh

Former captain Daniele De Rossi was named the new Roma manager hours after Mourinho was shown the door.

Mourinho, who said last month that he wanted to extend his contract at Roma, could be headed to a club in Saudi Arabia or a national team position.

Mourinho replaced Paulo Fonseca