Bellona Kayserispor v Fenerbahce - Turkish Super Lig
Jose Mourinho is never shy of getting into a verbal spat (Picture: Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has taken aim at Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, saying he won his Premier League titles ‘fairly’ and not ‘dealing with 150 lawsuits’.
The Fenerbahce manager spoke up after Guardiola did something reminiscent of him last weekend at Anfield.
After City were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool the Spaniard held up six digits to fans, symbolising the six Premier League titles he has won.
Mourinho memorably held up three fingers to jeering supporters when he was Manchester United manager, reminding them of his success despite struggling at the time.
It was put to Guardiola that Mourinho’s gesture was the beginning of the end for him at Old Trafford and he said: ”I hope not in my case… 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.’
While it didn’t seem like much of a pop at Mourinho from Guardiola, the Portuguese chose to have a dig in response.
Liverpool FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League
Pep Guardiola was defiant in defeat at Anfield (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Guardiola said something to me yesterday,’ Mourinho said. ‘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.’
Mourinho was referencing the 115 charges Manchester City face for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
The proceedings started in September and are rumbling on but a verdict is not expected any time soon.
The Times report that we will likely be waiting beyond the end of the current season for a verdict.
If found guilty of the alleged breaches, Manchester City face punishments including huge points deductions and relegation from the Premier League.
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