Nemanja Matic isn’t holding back about his time at Roma. The Serbian midfielder, now playing for Sassuolo in Italy, told Sky Sport that promises made back in 2022/23 were simply never kept. He pointed fingers at former sporting director Tiago Pinto and coach José Mourinho, saying they were part of the whole setup. Matic’s comments paint a clear picture of a seasoned player who felt let down.
When Matic left Manchester United, he was looking for a fresh start. “I wanted a project where I could stay for at least a couple of years,” the 37-year-old explained. He had offers for three-year deals, knowing full well he wasn’t a young prospect anymore. Stability was key for him, a common desire for any player settling into the twilight of their career.
Then came the call from Mourinho, a coach Matic knew well. “Mourinho’s offer arrived, but it was only for one year. At first, I didn’t want to accept it,” Matic revealed. However, after talking it over with Mourinho and his agent, Matic decided to take the leap. “I stayed because of him, the club, and the fans,” he added. There was a clear understanding: “They told me, ‘Sign, and if everything goes well, we’ll talk about renewing in January.'”
But things didn’t go according to plan. “It wasn’t easy at the start,” Matic lamented. “My family didn’t have the stability we needed.” He still chose Roma because of José, and he felt he played well, happy with his performances. Yet, January came and went without a word. “Nobody knocked on my door,” he said. Matic then had to reach out himself. “They told me I would automatically renew at the end of the season if I played more than 50 percent of the games.” This was an agreement from the previous summer, but it never happened.
Matic felt constantly under the microscope, despite his experience. “I’m an experienced player; I deserved more respect,” he stated firmly. By February, he had made his decision. “I told them I would give everything for the club until the season ended, but then I would leave.” He always gave his best for the team. When the season finished, they already knew he was leaving.
“The real problem was the people who made promises and didn’t keep them,” Matic concluded. He lacked stability and felt uncomfortable with the whole situation. He put in his best effort and felt good about his play. He especially felt the warmth of the supporters, noting, “The fans respected me more than the club did.” It’s a tough way for any player, especially a veteran, to part ways with a team.