Jose Mourinho takes a jibe at Pep Guardiola whilst sending a message to Gareth Southgate
According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho appears to have taken a jibe at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
This comes as Mourinho appealed to England boss Gareth Southgate to call out managers who pressurize him into withdrawing their stars from national team duty. The Spurs boss’ comments come after City star Raheem Sterling withdrew from the Three Lions squad earlier this week. Guardiola has since confirmed that the player has returned to first-team training just in time to face us tomorrow.
This is not the first time that Guardiola and Sterling have something similar. The winger also pulled out of the England squad in October with a hamstring injury only to be named in City’s starting XI for their game against Arsenal.
“Gareth Southgate, I read, supposedly told that some club managers put pressure on the players not to play for the national team.”
He proved decisive and scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory over the Gunners. While once is understandable, it would appear that City are making a habit of such antics.
Mourinho is not impressed by such antics and believe them to be underhanded.
“And I would like him to say which are the coaches that he calls and speaks on the phone with them. He has the right, the power to call the players he wants.”
Well within his rights
The Spurs boss admits that Southgate, as the national team’s manager, has the right to call up any player he deems fit. Mourinho understands the Three Lions boss’ job and realizes he too is under pressure to win games.
It’s pretty underhanded of Guardiola to resort to such manipulations despite having a team and a bottomless pit of money to throw at new signings. Maybe he should stop playing the victim and try managing the resources he has, just like other managers.
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Our clash against City will a true test of our title credentials. Plus a chance to get one over his old nemesis should have Mourinho pumped up for this one.
