Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have engaged in a war of words recently, taking football fans worldwide back to the times during their unforgettable feuds at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
After raising six fingers to Liverpool fans during Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield, Guardiola was reminded in a press conference that Jose Mourinho did the same at Manchester United; a gesture during a season that eventually led to him being sacked.
Pep Guardiola replied via BeanymanSports: “At the end, maybe we are quite similar, like Jose [Mourinho].”
“But he won three [Premier League titles], I won six.”
Jose Mourinho fired shots at Guardiola, claiming that he would won his titles “fairly and cleanly”, referencing Manchester City being alleged of breaching Premier League’s financial rules 115 times.
Pep Guardiola’s reply to Mourinho was that his claim was a mere “joke” and apologised if he “offended” the Fenerbahce boss.
- Man City 115 charges explained: Date of hearing, possible punishments and what Pep Guardiola has said
Jose Mourinho demands ‘justice’ from Manchester City’s 115 case
It seems like there still seems to be animosity between the pair of legendary managers, making their rivalry one of the fiercest between two high-profile coaches in recent memory.
On Tuesday, it was reported by journalist Mike Keegan that the hearing regarding City’s financial charges had been concluded.
Jose Mourinho has now claimed that while he holds no animosity towards Pep Guardiola and does not wish for Manchester City to get relegated, he does hope for a fair verdict.
Mourinho said via HaytersTV: “Pep [Guardiola] and I worked together for three years [at Barcelona], we know we love each other. It is not true that I want them to be relegated, what is true is that I want justice.”
“Small teams can sometimes be penalized by FFP when they exceed their limits by €5 to €10 [£4.4 to £8.9 million]. I also suffered more than the limits when I was at Roma. I don’t think this is fair. We love each other, he knows it. Words are one thing, feelings are another. All I want is justice, but I have no ill feelings towards each other.”
Jose Mourinho’s jab at Manchester City and their 115 financial charges also emerged in October as he quipped that he could still win a fourth Premier League title if the Sky Blues’ title win in 2018 is stripped off them if they are found guilty.
Guardiola said ‘everyone wants Manchester City to disappear off the Earth’
In September, Pep Guardiola insisted that the English giants have a long list of detractors who are hoping they are charged by the Premier League.
Guardiola said via The Guardian: “I am sorry to say I always want to defend my club – especially in these modern days,” he said. “It’s like everyone doesn’t expect us to be not just relegated, they want us to disappear off the face of the earth.”
“I would say we have had many better days than our opponents – and that’s why we win a lot. It’s not complicated.”
With that being the case, the Catalan is unlikely to be offended by Jose Mourinho’s latest comments.
It seems like Pep Guardiola feels Manchester City rub many the wrong way and is happy to fight on the club’s behalf.
