Real Madrid manager, José Mourinho, has joked that he could turn 80 before Manchester City’s financial case reaches its final conclusion, highlighting the lengthy process surrounding the Premier League champions’ alleged financial rule breaches.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, Mourinho said he preferred to approach the situation with humour, following an independent commission’s findings against 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 appealed 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, joking about the Italian’s continued presence in the Spanish club’s history.
“I told Carlo Ancelotti that I’m sick of him!” Mourinho said.
“Every day walking through the hallway at Real Madrid, there is photos of Carlo here, photos of Carlo there. I am fed up, come on!”
Mourinho also revealed that Ancelotti had recently sought permission to visit Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground to see Brazilian players Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Endrick.
“I said: Carlo, are you crazy? But this is Carlo Ancelotti. A gentleman, a great guy.”
The Portuguese manager also addressed his long-running disagreements with referees, dismissing 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.”
