Jose Mourinho admits he twice tried to sign Roma legend Daniele de Rossi.

Mourinho made the comments just days before being sacked by Roma and replaced by De Rossi.

Asked who he'd like to have coached, he told Ohm's YouTube channel: "For example, (Lionel) Messi has never needed to be coached. Who can say 'I was Messi's coach'? It seems absurd to me, because he knows everything and was born with everything. Maybe he can teach you things.

"It would just be to say of having had the honour of having him in the team. Then there are many players.

"To stay on the Roma theme, I would have wanted De Rossi at Inter and Real Madrid, but it wasn't possible. I also wanted (Francesco) Totti at Inter, despite the age, and it wasn't possible. They are always players you want to coach throughout your career."