Jose Mourinho takes dig at Manchester City and Pep Guardiola with ‘big sharks’ claim

Jose Mourinho aimed a dig at Pep Guardiola by stating that he does not want Manchester City relegated, but wants to see justice being served.

Jose Mourinho takes dig at Manchester City and Pep Guardiola with ‘big sharks’ claim

Jose Mourinho refuted Pep Guardiola's claims that he wants to see Manchester CIty relegated (via Independent)

Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho refuted Pep Guardiola’s claim that he wants to see Manchester City get relegated from the EPL. He hit back at the Spaniard’s claims by insisting that he only wants ‘justice’ to be served. 

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are undoubtedly two of 21st century’s greatest managers. They had built a fierce rivalry, during the time when Mourinho was in-charge of Real Madrid and Guardiola, of Barcelona. Mourinho most recently, reignited the rivalry by stating that he had won three EPL titles ‘fairly and clearly’. It was reportedly aimed at Guardiola, following his six-finger response to taunting Liverpool fans at the end of Man City’s 2-0 defeat. He was alluding to the number of titles he has won at City. 

YouTube video

Mourinho’s comments did not hold well with the Spaniard, who claimed that the Portuguese is among those who want Man City relegated, and lose the battle against the 115 financial charges. Replying to Guardiola’s claims, the Fenerbahce manager revealed that he does not want to see City getting relegated. Moreover, he clarified that he does not want the big sharks; the big football clubs, to escape the Financial rules, and demanded fairness. 

He won six and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly... It’s not true that I want Man City to be relegated. It’s true that I like justice… I don’t think it’s fair that the big sharks always find a way to escape the rules.

Jose Mourinho on Pep Guardiola’s claims (H/T Guardian)

Interestingly, Jose Mourinho had made a similar three-finger salute towards Tottenham fans in 2019, following his side, Man Utd’s defeat. Many fans and social media users noted the similarities between the two managers and their actions. 

Jose Mourinho urges Spanish young talent to join his former club Real Madrid

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho urged young Athletic Bilbao winger and Spanish talent Nico Williams to join his former side Real Madrid. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from his current side, with Arsenal and Chelsea interested in signing him. 

Nico Williams Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho urged Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams to join Real Madrid. (via Transfermarkt)

Nico Williams has been a revelation over the past two seasons. He had scored in the Euro 2024 final against England, helping Spain win the title. For Bilbao, he has scored 22 goals and provided 31 assists in 142 matches. Jose Mourinho, while praising the Spaniard for his talents, called him a ‘fantastic’ player. He added that no Turkish club can sign him, making him a favorite to join Real Madrid in the future. 

I’m more of a Nico Williams fan than anything else. I think he’s a fantastic player and I hope he ends up playing for Real Madrid because in Spain.

Jose Mourinho on Nico Williams (H/T GOAL)

Nico Williams had been previously linked with a move to Barcelona this summer. However, the transfer failed to materialize and he stayed back at Bilbao. Barca instead opted to sign Williams’ Spanish teammate, Dani Olmo, instead.