- Jose Mourinho finished second with Manchester United back in 2017-18
- They were however some 19 points behind the eventual champions Man City
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Jose Mourinho took aim at Manchester City and his old rival Pep Guardiola by joking he still hasn’t given up hope of pocketing a bonus from Manchester United for winning the Premier League title if their neighbours are retrospectively punished for breaking financial rules.
Mourinho faces United as Fenerbahce boss in a Europa League tie in Istanbul on Thursday night, and he was in typically mischievous mood when he appeared before the media at the Turkish club’s training ground.
Reflecting on his time at United, and particularly the 2017-18 season when he finished second to his old rival Guardiola, Mourinho wondered out loud if he might win the title should City be found guilty of the 115 charges they are facing.
‘As you know, we won Europa League and we finished second in the Premier League,’ he said. ‘I think we still have a chance to win that league because if they punish Man City with points maybe we win that league and then they have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal!’
The Red Devils came second to their crosstown rivals that season, with Mourinho’s side finishing way behind City.
Jose Mourinho claimed that if Manchester City are retroactively stripped of the 2017-18 title then he could be in line for a Premier League winners medal and a bonus
Pep Guardiola’s side romped to a record-breaking 100 points in the 2017-18 – finishing 19 ahead of United
City could have won the title by beating United in the Manchester derby in April 2018 and were 2-0 up before Mourinho’s side fought back to win 3-2. Pep Guardiola’s men were crowned champions a week later when United lost at home to West Brom.
It was a remarkable, record-breaking year for Pep Guardiola and Co, who managed to pick up an unprecedented 100 points.
Mourinho’s side, meanwhile, managed an otherwise highly creditable 81 after a campaign that saw them win 25 matches across the top-flight season. The Portuguese has described finishing second as the biggest achievement of his career.
In a box-office press conference, Mourinho also hinted at a return to the Premier League – where he took charge of United, Chelsea and Tottenham – as he wished his old club all the best.
‘I will always repeat the same thing: I want them to be successful,’ he added. ‘They’re not playing against me in the Premier League. Tomorrow . I wish the best to everyone there: the coaches, the players everybody. Only three or four players are there from my time.
‘Maybe you think I’m bluffing or mind games, I’m not playing anything. They have better results than they should. They will succeed sooner or later, hopefully sooner and maybe one day I go back to the Premier League.’
Since moving to Turkiye, Mourinho has made his impression felt on the Super Lig, with his side in fourth place in the table, eight points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray.
However it is for his touchline antics that he has perhaps caught the media’s attention most, including placing a laptop screen directly in front of a camera with a shot of what he perceived to be a refereeing mistake.
Mourinho was also asked about his thoughts on United, having left the club in 2018, in particularly for his opinion on why they have experienced inconsistencies in the last 18 months.
Mourinho joined Fenerbahce as manager over the summer and prepares to face his former club
‘Honestly, I didn’t lose one minute thinking about it. I wish the best to Manchester United since the moment I left. I left with a good feeling to the club, to the fans.
‘I want the best for them. If things are not going amazingly well for them, it’s not something that makes me happy but at the same time, I have no time and doesn’t make sense for me to be thinking about what happened, what didn’t happen.’
Manchester City are currently facing allegations of 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules, with the case ongoing. The hearing began last month.
Though the top-flight champions strenuously deny any wrongdoing, should they be found guilty potential punishments could include expulsion from the Premier League or perhaps being stripped of titles.
