Jose Mourinho has warned Pep Guardiola that his Premier League title record will always be marred by the 115 financial charges hanging over Manchester City’s head.
Guardiola was recently taunted by Liverpool fans for City’s poor form, but he was quick to remind those in attendance at Anfield that he had six Premier League titles to his name by raising his fingers to the crowd.
When it was pointed out to Guardiola that Mourinho did something similar to remind fans of his three Premier League titles before being sacked, the City boss responded: “I hope that’s not the case for me. But in the end, we are similar in some ways. However, he won three Premier Leagues, and I’ve won six. So, it’s not quite the same, is it?”
Mourinho, who is now managing in Turkiye with Fenerbahce, did not pass up on the opportunity to respond to Guardiola’s comments.
“I want to win, but I want to win cleanly and fairly,” he began. “If I cannot win cleanly, I prefer to lose.
“Guardiola said something about me. He won six trophies, I won three, but I won fair and clean. If I lose, I want to congratulate my opponent for being better than me. I do not want to win by dealing with 150 cases.”
The hearing into the allegations against City is expected to end in the coming days, with an outcome possibly reached in February 2025. However, with appeals likely regardless of the verdict, the case is expected to drag well into next year.
One thing that is more certain is Guardiola’s future. The Spaniard, despite City’s poor form and signs that a squad rebuild may be required, signed a new two-year contract to remain at the club, stating that he will remain in Manchester even the club are found guilty of the alleged charges and are relegated from the Premier League.
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