José Mourinho has responded to Pep Guardiola's subtle jab. The Manchester City manager defended himself during a press conference at Mourinho's expense, but the Portuguese coach was not pleased with the remarks.
After the Liverpool crowd sang "You're getting sacked in the morning" at Guardiola during the clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, the Spanish manager responded with a provocative gesture.
He raised six fingers, referencing the six Premier League titles he has won with City in recent years. This gesture was quickly compared to José Mourinho’s famous response during his time under pressure at Manchester United when he raised three fingers to highlight his three Premier League titles and silence critics. The parallels between the two moments caught the media's attention and sparked comparisons between the two legendary managers.
When asked about this comparison during a press conference, Guardiola did not hide his disdain. “Well, I certainly hope not. He won three; I have six,” the Spaniard responded, emphasizing his superiority in Premier League achievements. However, this remark did not sit well with Mourinho, who responded sharply during a press conference ahead of Fenerbahçe’s derby against Besiktas.
“I always want to win respectfully and honestly,” Mourinho began, addressing Guardiola’s comments and taking a direct swipe at Manchester City’s ongoing legal troubles. “I heard yesterday that Guardiola said something about me that he has won six titles and I have three. But at least I won everything honestly. When I lost, I congratulated my opponent because they were better than me. I don’t want to win with 150 charges hanging over my head.” Mourinho’s statement clearly referred to the 115 charges currently filed against Manchester City concerning alleged breaches of financial regulations, an issue that has cast a shadow over the club's dominance in recent years.
This exchange reignited the long-standing rivalry between Mourinho and Guardiola, two of football’s most decorated and polarizing figures. Their history goes back to their days as managers of Real Madrid and Barcelona, where their clashes became the stuff of legend. Mourinho’s pragmatic, defensively sound approach often stood in stark contrast to Guardiola’s possession-heavy, attacking philosophy. These ideological differences, combined with their fiery personalities, turned their meetings in El Clásico into dramatic battles not just between teams but between coaching styles and egos.
The rivalry carried over to the Premier League, where Mourinho found early success with Chelsea, winning three Premier League titles and cementing himself as one of the league’s most successful managers. Guardiola, arriving years later, ushered in a new era of dominance with Manchester City, breaking records and setting new standards for English football. Despite their shared successes, their interactions have rarely been cordial, marked instead by pointed comments and intense competitive tension.
Mourinho’s remarks about "winning honestly" not only defended his own legacy but also added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding Manchester City’s financial practices. The unresolved allegations of financial misconduct have led critics to question the legitimacy of City’s achievements, despite Guardiola’s insistence that the club has operated within the rules. By highlighting this controversy, Mourinho reinforced his position as a manager whose victories, in his view, were achieved with integrity.
As Mourinho prepares for Fenerbahçe’s crucial derby against Besiktas, his comments are a reminder that, even years after their most heated encounters, the rivalry between him and Guardiola remains as compelling as ever. For Guardiola, the focus will likely remain on defending his team’s achievements and navigating the intense scrutiny surrounding City’s financial conduct. For Mourinho, this moment serves as both a defense of his own legacy and a continuation of the battles that have defined his career.
