The rivalry between Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho has reignited, with the two legendary managers exchanging pointed comments over their Premier League successes.
Mourinho’s recent remark about his titles being “won fairly” took aim at Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently under scrutiny for 115 Premier League charges related to financial impropriety.
Mourinho, who won three Premier League titles with Chelsea under Roman Abramovich, didn’t hold back in his criticism.
“I want to win, but I want to win cleanly and fairly,” Mourinho stated. “If I can’t win cleanly, I’d rather lose.”
He added, “He [Guardiola] won six trophies and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly. I don’t want to win by dealing with 115 cases.”
Guardiola, however, was quick to respond, dismissing Mourinho’s comments as unnecessary and premature.
“I was joking,” Guardiola said, referring to his playful six-finger salute to Liverpool fans last week, which mimicked Mourinho’s famous three-finger gesture.
“If I have offended him, I’m so sorry, but it was a joke. The fact is he has three [Premier League titles], and I have six. This is a fact.”
Guardiola also addressed the ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s finances, emphasizing the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
“I would say to Jose the same: we are innocent until proven guilty. We will see what happens,” Guardiola remarked. “Another one in this country and more around the world wants us at the bottom. It’s OK, it’s fine.”
The feud between Guardiola and Mourinho dates back to their managerial battles in Spain between 2010 and 2012, when Guardiola led Barcelona and Mourinho managed Real Madrid.
Despite their tense history, Guardiola expressed warmer relationships with other managerial greats like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
“With Arsene, since he retired, it’s been incredible,” Guardiola said. “Sir Alex and I have had a few chats. We talk about life and the experiences of managing in England.
Normal people in football don’t talk about results or trophies but about the experiences we live through.”
Guardiola, confident in his accomplishments, also addressed criticisms that his success was tied to Lionel Messi at Barcelona. “Many said, ‘He wins because of Barcelona and Messi.’ I had to prove myself in England. OK, we did it.”
As the Premier League charges loom over Manchester City, Guardiola remains focused on defending his team’s legacy.
The fiery exchanges between him and Mourinho, however, ensure that their rivalry remains as compelling as ever.
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