

Jose Mourinho has delivered a sharp retort to Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City manager highlighted his superior Premier League title count, claiming his own trophies were won “fairly and cleanly.”
The exchange began after Guardiola raised six fingers to Liverpool fans following City’s 2-0 loss at Anfield last weekend, referencing the six Premier League titles he has won compared to Mourinho’s three.
The gesture evoked memories of Mourinho’s infamous three-finger salute to Chelsea and Tottenham fans during his final days as Manchester United manager in 2018.
When asked if he could suffer the same fate of being sacked like Mourinho, who coached United, Guardiola said, “I hope not in my case… He [Mourinho] won three; I won six, but we are the same like that. We are together in those situations. To make our fans know that we are much, much better than the people that sing that [Liverpool fans chanting ‘sacked in the morning’].
“It [the gesture] was just to make our fans feel that what we have done is extraordinary. I want to prove that we are an incredible football club. Sooner or later it’s going to be the end, but I will try to extend as much as possible for the best of my club.”
Mourinho, currently managing Fenerbahçe, took issue with Guardiola’s comments. Speaking via Turkish outlet Sporx, as reported on Friday, , the Portuguese coach said, “Guardiola said something to me yesterday. He won six trophies, and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly.
“If I lost, I want to congratulate my opponent because he was better than me. I don’t want to win by dealing with 150 lawsuits.”
The remarks were a pointed reference to the 115 charges currently faced by Manchester City for allegedly breaching Premier League financial rules.
The ongoing legal proceedings, which began in September, have drawn scrutiny over City’s operations.
Held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, the case could result in severe consequences for the club, including relegation or significant points deductions, should the independent commission find them guilty.
Premier League barristers Andrew Hunter KC and Adam Lewis KC of Blackstone Chambers were seen delivering closing statements this week.
The verdict, expected in the coming months, will determine whether City violated the rules and, if so, the extent of the punishment.
Pep Guardiola said on Friday that three-quarters of the English Premier League clubs want Manchester City relegated over alleged breaches of financial rules.
But the City boss has insisted he would stay at the Etihad even if they are demoted all the way down into the fifth tier of English football.
Guardiola, who has won six EPL titles in the past seven years with City, signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday, committing him to the English champions till 2027.
A hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against City has been ongoing for several weeks, with a verdict expected before the end of the season.
The club have strongly denied any financial wrongdoing but could face a severe points penalty if found guilty of some or all the charges.
Guardiola too has been happy to be the public face of that defence, with the Spaniard saying, “I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it because, when you believe in your club, and the people there – I believe what they say to me and the reasons why.
“I cannot say yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March…I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff.
“I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here.
“Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.”
Guardiola’s decision to extend his deal is also a boost during a rare period of on-field turmoil.
For the first time in the Spaniard’s managerial career, his team has lost four consecutive matches but the 53-year-old hit back at City’s critics, pointing to their success in becoming the first side to ever win four English top-flight titles in a row.
“When you are here for nine years, with a long time at one club, you live all the scenarios, all the situations.
“You’re able to lose four games in a row, but at the same time you’re able to win four Premier Leagues in a row,” added Guardiola.
City’s poor run began with a League Cup exit to Tottenham before Premier League defeats to Bournemouth and Brighton either side of a 4-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
All four losses came on the road and Guardiola is hoping for some home comforts when City return to the Etihad Stadium, where they have not been beaten in open play in two years.
“We have to start to win games, we know it. We are coming back at home, hopefully, we can perform well and start to take our rhythm,” the City coach affirmed.
AFP
Retired sprinter, Usain Bolt has said that new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will introduce a fresh identity at the club.
Amorim was recently appointed as Man United manager.
The Portuguese replaced Erik ten Hag, who was sacked last month.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Bolt, who is a die-hard Man United fan, said Amorim will bring identity to the club.
Bolt also observed that Amorim defeated Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola twice.
“I’m really excited. The fact that he beat Pep [Guardiola] twice is wonderful.
“I heard his first interview and it seems like he is going to bring identity to the club.
“That is what I think we were missing at the club, identity. So, I’m excited to see if the players can work with him and stand behind him and do a really good job.”
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said he feels so attached to Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling.
However, he has ruled out a return for the 29-year-old to the Etihad.
Sterling left City to join the Blues in a £47.5m deal in the summer of 2022.
But Sterling is looking to leave Stamford Bridge after being frozen out by new manager, Enzo Maresca.
When asked about a possible reunion with the player, Guardiola replied: “He’s a Chelsea player, absolutely.
“I feel so attached to the time we lived together with Raheem, and Enzo.
“So I just wish him all the best, but he’s of course, a Chelsea player.”
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said he will only sign a contract at the club if it is the right decision for him and the team.
Guardiola’s current deal with the Premier League champions expires in 2025.
Speaking on City’s preseason tour of the USA, the 53-year-old hinted he could decide to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
“I know maybe I was not correct to say in the right moment, when we won the Premier League, but I’m saying that I’ve been eight years in Man City so I’m not being here for eight more years.
“That’s why I’m closer to leaving than staying. But I didn’t say I’m leaving.
“When I’m leaving, I will say I’m leaving. But I didn’t say it.
“I will not rule it out absolutely to extend the contract. I just want to be sure it’s the right decision, not just for me, for the club,” Guardiola said.