Mourinho Mocks Man City Case Delay: ‘I’ll Be 80 Before Final Verdict’
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has joked that he could be 80 years old before Manchester City’s financial case reaches its final conclusion, highlighting the lengthy legal process surrounding the Premier League champions.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, Mourinho said he had chosen to laugh about the situation rather than take it too seriously, following findings by an independent commission over alleged financial rule breaches by City.
“I’d rather have a bit of a laugh about it. Being in my 60s, I’ll have to be lucky enough still to be here when the final verdict arrives. Now a ruling will come, then an appeal… I’ll be 80!” he said.
Manchester City have lodged an appeal against the findings, which relate to alleged breaches spanning the period between 2009 and 2018.
In the same interview, Mourinho also spoke about former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who currently coaches Brazil’s national team, mixing humour with praise for his former colleague.
“I told Carlo Ancelotti that I’m sick of him! Every day walking through the hallway at Real Madrid, there are photos of Carlo here, photos of Carlo there. I am fed up, come on!” Mourinho said.
He disclosed that Ancelotti had recently sought permission to visit Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground to check on Brazilian stars Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Endrick.
“I said: Carlo, are you crazy? But this is Carlo Ancelotti. A gentleman, a great guy,” he added.
Mourinho also addressed his long-standing disagreements with match officials, rejecting suggestions that he was responsible for the recurring controversies.
“To be fair, I don’t believe I am the problem,” he said. “I think the problem is bad luck… and arriving at certain times to certain clubs.”
His comments come amid continued attention on Manchester City’s financial case, with the appeal process adding another stage to a dispute that has drawn significant interest across English football.
