Mourinho backs Volpato’s decision to snub Socceroos

LEGENDARY football manager and current Roma boss Jose Mourinho has backed Cristian Volpato’s decision to snub the Socceroos as the fall out to his decision continues.

Volpato formally rejected Graham Arnold’s offer to join the Socceroos World Cup squad for the upcoming tournament in Qatar, stating that he is focusing on his club career with Roma.

The Sydney native has made four appearances for the Roma senior team off the bench and has made his mark with two goals and an assist in limited playing time.

Speaking at a press conference in Rome, Mourinho agreed with Volpato’s decision and slammed the Socceroos selectors for trying to force him into making a choice this early in his career.

“I think it is a personal decision and the club has not been involved,” Mourinho said.

“As a coach, for example, I would refuse to call up a player, even a young one, in a situation like that.

“What I understand is that he is at the beginning of his career and he’s growing with Roma by getting more minutes in consecutive matches.

“It’s not like last year where he played just one game against Verona and then he didn’t play again. I think he has now played four games in a row.

“He is in a development phase where I think he has to focus on building his future and not on certain decisions where maybe someone else wants to accelerate a process that should not be sped up.”

Volpato’s decision seems likely to be influenced by next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup, where he looks set to represent Italy.

– BY DOMINIC CRINITI/ SEN