Mourinho in tears and mobbed by players as Roma fans celebrate first European title

There were reservations about a third tier UEFA competition, but the celebrations after Nicolo Zaniolo downed Feyenoord in a 1-0 win have surely put any doubts to bed.

The Italian forward's first half winner earned Roma their first UEFA trophy having previously only won the Fairs Cup in 1961, provoking some rather fitting celebrations.

The 32nd minute goal itself garnered a vintage Mourinho reaction, with the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager keen to calm his players down.

Directing an overzealous bench back to the dugout after they'd spilled onto the pitch, 'the Special One' took control of the situation leading to some iconic images.

The Air Albania Stadium in Tirana only held just over 21,000 people, but that didn't stop fans back in the Italian capital enjoying the historic win fully.

Around 50,000 packed out their home stadium to watch the match on the big screen, celebrating Zaniolo's winner as if they were in the Tirana stands, before spilling onto the pitch at full-time.

The impact of a first trophy since 2017 was clearly not lost on Mourinho, who was seen in tears as the full time whistle rang out, before taking full ownership of the victory by putting five fingers in the air, referencing his five European trophy wins.

Once the 59-year-old had gathered himself and the trophy was handed out for the first time, he was able to conduct a post-match press conference, but only momentarily.

Mourinho was mobbed by his players during his post-match media duties, being covered by champagne before they stole him from the room and headed off.

The connection was there for all to see, and Mourinho made sure of it in his interviews that followed.

"There are so many things going through my head. So many things at the same time," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I've been at Roma for 11 months, I realised the moment I arrived what it meant, they were waiting for this. As I told the lads in the locker room in Turin, we did what we needed to do, qualify for the Europa League. We had great work all season.

"This was not work tonight, this was history. We had to write history. We wrote it.

"Now I am staying, there are no doubts. Even if some rumours emerge, I only want to remain at Roma.

"We must understand what our owners, who are fantastic people, want to do next season, because this is history, but we can build a really strong project with honest professionals.

"We need to sit down and understand what the plan is for next season.

"I think of myself, of course, but above all the Roma fans who can celebrate tonight, enjoy themselves and remember this night forever.

"Of course I feel like a Romanista, but that might be my way of working.

"I am a Porto fan, an Inter fan, a Chelsea fan, I am crazy about Real Madrid. I am now a Roma fan, I belong to all those clubs because we had these moments together.

"Tonight, with all due respect for all the clubs I worked for before, I am 100 per cent Romanista, because these fans are truly incredible."