NOBLE EYES GLORIOUS DEPARTURE

MARK NOBLE insists he will not go back on his decision to retire at the end of the season even if West Ham win the Europa League. David Moyes’ side face German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt tonight in the first leg of their semi-final and know winning the competition would be a ticket to the Champions League, but 34-year-old Noble says even that would not tempt him to keep playing. ‘I’ve been asked this question so many times by so many people,’ the club captain said. ‘The reason we would get into the Champions League is by winning the Europa League. ‘Winning the Europa League and lifting the trophy, would I come back? No. And that’s my honest answer. To end on that would be pretty special.’ Meanwhile, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers believes Jose Mourinho still has the X-Factor ahead of their European showdown. The Foxes welcome Roma for the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final tonight. It is Mourinho’s first game back in England since being sacked by Tottenham last year. Roma sit fifth in Serie A and, after being head of youth at Chelsea during Mourinho’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, Rodgers remains a big supporter. He said: ‘He has nothing to prove to anyone. He will always be a winner. I cannot speak any higher of him. He is one of the greats of our generation. ‘He had the X-Factor. There wasn’t one single thing. He was brilliant in so many aspects of the game. Detail orientated, man management of the players, his understanding of the tactical adaptation of the game, he had that special quality I was able to see. ‘I have got nothing but admiration for him. I became a manager in my own right but I will never forget what I gained from him as a young coach.’