Pep Guardiola has fired back at Jose Mourinho’s pointed remarks, asserting that he is simply “another one on the huge list” of people rooting for Manchester City to face relegation.
Guardiola addressed Mourinho’s comments after the Fenerbahce manager claimed City’s success is overshadowed by their 115 charges, which are currently under investigation by the Premier League.
The City boss, however, reiterated that his club remains innocent unless proven otherwise.
Mourinho’s criticism came after Guardiola joked that he wouldn’t face the sack like Mourinho because he had won six Premier League titles compared to Mourinho’s three.
Responding to the “charges” remark, Guardiola downplayed the spat, describing his earlier statement as nothing more than humour.
He said: “It was a joke, it was a joke, but he’s another one on the huge list that want the team in League One or the Conference.
“I would say to Jose the same: we are innocent until proven guilty. After that we will see what happens. He is another one on the huge list in this country and more around the world that want us at the bottom.
“It’s ok, it’s fine. I’ve said many times, wait for the sentence and everyone, especially in a democracy, is innocent until proven guilty. Right? We’ll wait and after we’ll see. The fact is he has three and I have six. This is a fact, but the intention was completely fine.”
Pep Guardiola has issued an apology to José Mourinho if the former manager felt hurt by any of his comments. Guardiola also declined to respond to Arne Slot’s recent remarks about Manchester City’s ongoing charges.
Slot, speaking on Tuesday, made a lighthearted jab at Guardiola, referencing the 115 charges against Manchester City.
The Feyenoord manager claimed that Mohamed Salah had jokingly said Sunday’s match at Anfield would be his last against City at that venue, as he expects them to be relegated.
“The joke from Arne Slot is his business, not my business,” said Guardiola. “I’m talking about what I said. If I have offended him [Mourinho] I’m so sorry, but it was a joke.”
Guardiola claims that he and Mourinho are part of an exclusive group of four managers in the Premier League who have won three or more league titles.
He said: “Both with our teams, him with Chelsea and me with Man City, we can sit at the table with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, right? For the many, many titles we won and I’m pretty sure soon they will congratulate us.
“Both Sir Alex and Arsene had incredible success at United and Arsenal, and Jose at Chelsea. I would say ourselves here too. In terms of titles, all four, we are the best in I don’t how how many years in the Premier League.”
Read more: Why Everton vs Liverpool was called off
Andy Robertson insists Liverpool have plenty of scope to improve under Arne Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot confirms Ryan Gravenberch will start against Everton
