Jose Mourinho has labelled reports of a bust-up in the Roma dressing room "a total lie" and staunchly defended his methods.
The 59-year-old was alleged to have hit out at his players following a 2-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday, telling them they lacked personality and were "without balls."
But ahead of the Giallorossi's trip to face Sassoulo on Sunday, Mourinho slammed the claims in his pre-match press conference.
"From the stories I've heard, some might have been expecting me to arrive here with a black eye and a swollen face because of all the punches – that's a big lie," the ex- Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur boss told reporters.
"The story that came out of a break-up between me and the players is a total lie. We talked after the game, analysed and worked on those errors. That is how I work.
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"The players told me they are happy with my working methods. There are no secrets between us, I say things to their face and I invite the players to engage in a dialogue.
"Everyone told me they don't want me to change, so I told them I will not change. You talk about it as me letting loose frustration, but do you think I shouldn’t reproach [Roger] Ibanez, [Rick] Karsdorp, [Gianluca] Mancini or [Chris] Smalling?
"Now ask me questions about Sassuolo or I am leaving."
According to Il Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia, Mourinho had told his squad in the away dressing room at the San Siro: "I want to know why, you s*** yourself in the first ten minutes.
"And then I want to know why you s*** yourself against [AC] Milan for ten minutes. Each one of you, no exceptions.
"I want to know why you've become so small against big teams for the last two years. If we are small, referees will treat us as such. Inter are a super team, but rather than find motivation, you s*** yourself.
"The worst shortcoming for a man is lack of balls and personality. Are you scared about big games? Then go to play in Serie C, without pressure, without champions, and big stadiums.
"You are without balls and that's the worst thing for a man."
While Roma's performance at the home of the Italian champions was hardly one to be ashamed of, Mourinho remains under mounting pressure at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi sit seventh in the Serie A table and risk missing out on Champions League qualification, six points behind fourth-placed Juventus.
