Former Juventus star Paulo Dybala has disclosed that he decided to join Roma shortly after speaking with manager Jose Mourinho on the phone.
The Argentine spent seven years with Juventus before his contract at the Allianz Stadium ended in the summer.
Numerous elite clubs in Europe were interested in recruiting the attacker, but Jose Mourinho, the former manager of Manchester United and Chelsea, was ultimately successful in getting him to sign with his team.
With four goals and two assists in all competitions this season, Dybala has proven to be one of Mourinho’s best acquisitions.
The 28-year-old acknowledged that, since moving to the city, he is now enjoying football again after finding it difficult to perform at his peak during his final few seasons at Juventus.
What convinced him to join Juventus
Dybala was a fan-favourite during his time at Juventus and his move to Roma obviously rattled the club’s fanbase. He was undecided about his next destination and amid interest from several Premier League sides, he decided to join Roma and credits Jose Mourinho as the reason behind that decision.
Speaking on his move, he said to ESPN Argentina: “Yes, the last few years at Juventus weren’t easy; a change did me good.” Mourinho called, and I made a choice shortly after. He and the director both chatted with me about the project and their ambition to keep winning as they did the previous year.”
“Being a protagonist in such a team helps me a lot. The fans’ welcome? It was unusual. When you enter the stadium, you’re with your teammates, there I was alone. It had never happened to me before.”
“Roma fans are similar to Argentinian fans in terms of passion. Different from the Juventus environment, more like the Argentinean one.”
“They have a beautiful madness, I feel this affection, for them, Roma comes before the family. They live football as we do.”
However, Dybala has previously spoken with Mourinho. During the Argentine’s final campaign with the Old Lady, Mourinho approached Dybala on the bench following the Argentine’s substitution during a game between Juventus and Roma.
When Juventus was winning 4-3 in Rome, he added, “The coach took me off.” “You are a phenomenon,” Mourinho greeted me as he approached the bench.
“This episode has stuck with me, but I couldn’t have known then what would happen with the Juventus contract.”
“He asked me whether I remembered that moment when he first called me. Of course, how could I forget, I responded. It was a privilege. “Well, now you have to do it for me,” he then stated. In the days that followed, he also called, and I had no trouble making a choice.
“It’s simple to work with him.” He knows every player, from the best to the third string, so we can discuss anything. He has a team that functions extremely effectively. The humility Mourinho possesses and the fact that he treats everyone equally shocked me.”
