Mourinho fires back at Guardiola: ‘I won fairly and cleanly’ amid title dispute

NEW DELHI: Jose Mourinho, the renowned Portuguese football manager, has responded to Pep Guardiola’s recent remarks regarding their respective Premier League achievements, defending the integrity of his own title wins. Speaking ahead of Fenerbahce’s clash with Besiktas, Mourinho took a pointed jab at Guardiola and Manchester City’s troubled history with the Premier League’s financial regulations.

Guardiola made the remark following Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool for Manchester City. Guardiola raised six fingers to represent the number of English Premier League titles he has won as cries of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” reverberated from the stands. In contrast to Mourinho’s three league titles from his time at Chelsea, this was a reference to his prosperous period at the club.

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In response, Mourinho, who was fired by Manchester United in December 2018 after the team lost to Liverpool, emphasized the moral significance of his accomplishments. Mourinho reportedly stated, “Guardiola said something about me… he won six trophies and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly,” according to Hurriyet, a Turkish publication. The remark appeared to be a reference to the current legal disputes that Manchester City has been embroiled in due to suspected violations of financial fair play regulations from 2009 to 2018, which City has continuously disputed.

Mourinho’s reputation for fair play and his tough approach to competitiveness have frequently been part of his legacy. “I want to applaud my opponent if I lose because he was superior to me. “I don’t want to win by dealing with 150 court cases,” he continued, emphasizing his conviction that victory ought to be assured of its validity.

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A query concerning the possibility of his own termination caused Guardiola to remark that he might suffer a fate similar to Mourinho’s firing. Although the Spaniard dismissed it with the words, “I hope not in my case,” and explicitly pointed out that their championships differed, Mourinho’s rebuttals have spurred new debate over the morality of football achievement.

Guardiola and Mourinho’s rivalry has long been characterized by their divergent ideologies and methods, with the Portuguese frequently criticizing financial strength in contemporary football. If City is found guilty and their championships are taken away, Mourinho has previously stated that he would like to add a fourth Premier League trophy to his record. This move might result in Manchester United, who placed second in the 2017–18 season, receiving the championship.

In the face of constant criticism, City is still focused on their match against Crystal Palace on Saturday in an attempt to continue chasing a top-four finish.