Cameron Smith
Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola
© IMAGO
Jose Mourinho has hit back at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola by claiming his Premier League titles were won “cleanly.”
Guardiola was compared to the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager following his antics during Man City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend.
The defeat extended Man City’s winless run to seven games in all competitions and Guardiola was spotted holding up six fingers - in reference to the number of Premier League titles he has won - after being mocked by the Anfield crowd.
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During his time at Man Utd, Mourinho famously held up three fingers after a 3-0 loss to Tottenham and demanded “respect” for his achievements in English football.
“I won more Premierships alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me and two for them,” Mourinho said back in August 2018.
After Man City’s loss to Liverpool, Guardiola was asked about this incident and whether he could be sacked like Mourinho was at Old Trafford.
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“I hope not in my case,” Guardiola replied. “He won three, I won six.. but we are the same like that.
“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.”
Pep Guardiola's Man City won the Premier League title last season
© IMAGO - Pep Guardiola's Man City won the Premier League title last season
What has Jose Mourinho said?
However, Mourinho has now hit back at Guardiola in typical fashion.
The Fenerbahce boss told reporters (as per The Daily Mail): “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.”
Man City are currently facing 115 charges of alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules and relegation from the Premier League is one possible punishment that Guardiola’s side could receive.