Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho
Man City boss downplays comments, says Mourinho is among “many” who want City relegated.
Pep Guardiola addressed recent remarks from José Mourinho, suggesting the Fenerbahce manager is part of a “huge list” of people hoping for Manchester City’s downfall. The exchange comes after Mourinho responded sharply to a joke Guardiola made earlier in the week regarding their respective Premier League title tallies.
The Exchange: Titles and Tensions
On Tuesday, Guardiola humorously compared his six Premier League titles with Mourinho’s three, referencing a 2018 moment when Mourinho made a three-finger salute as Manchester United’s manager. Guardiola’s remarks included a jab about Mourinho’s managerial decline since that time.
Mourinho, now leading Turkish side Fenerbahce, didn’t take kindly to the comment. On Friday, he fired back, emphasizing that his titles with Chelsea were won “cleanly and fairly,” a veiled reference to the 115 financial charges facing Manchester City.
“Guardiola said something to me yesterday. He won six trophies, and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly,” Mourinho stated. “If I lose, I want to congratulate my opponent because he was better. I don’t want to win with 150 lawsuits hanging over me.”
City has consistently denied the allegations of financial misconduct.
Guardiola’s Response: Humor and Defiance
Speaking on Friday, Guardiola reiterated that his comparison was meant as a joke and stressed his respect for Mourinho’s accomplishments. However, he also acknowledged the widespread criticism directed at City amid their legal troubles.
“It was a joke,” Guardiola clarified. “But he’s another one in the huge list of people who want this team in League One or the Conference. I would say to José: we are innocent until proven guilty. After that, we’ll see what happens.”
“If I’ve offended him, I’m so sorry,” Guardiola added. “The fact is, he has three [titles], and I have six. That’s a fact. But my intention was purely lighthearted.”
Acknowledging Their Achievements
Despite the tensions, Guardiola highlighted the legacy both managers share in English football.
“With our teams—him with Chelsea, me with Man City—we can sit at the table with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger for the many titles we’ve won. I’m pretty sure soon, they’ll congratulate us.”
What’s Next?
The back-and-forth adds another chapter to the storied rivalry between two of football’s most decorated managers. With Guardiola focused on defending City’s title and Mourinho enjoying success with Fenerbahce, their paths may cross again, but for now, the exchange is a reminder of the competitive spirit that defines their careers.
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