Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has quipped that he may reach the age of 80 by the time Manchester City’s long-running financial case is finally resolved.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, the 63-year-old Portuguese coach took a light-hearted view of the protracted legal process after an independent commission found City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules covering the period from 2009 to 2018.
“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!” Mourinho said.
City have already lodged an appeal against the findings.
In the same interview, Mourinho spoke with characteristic humour about his predecessor at Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, who now manages Brazil.
“I told Carlo Ancelotti that I’m sick of him!” he 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!”
He added that Ancelotti had recently asked permission to visit the club’s Valdebebas training ground to check on Brazilian players including Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Endrick.
“I said: Carlo, are you crazy? But this is Carlo Ancelotti. A gentleman, a great guy.”
Mourinho also addressed his frequent clashes with referees.
“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.”
