- Mourinho eyes 2018 title if City punished
- City face 115 financial rule breach charges
- Mourinho seeks title bonus if City stripped
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has playfully suggested he may still receive a title-winning bonus from the 2017-18 season, depending on the outcome of Manchester City’s ongoing legal battle with the Premier League.
City, who finished first that season, face 115 charges of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018. If found guilty, they could be stripped of silverware won during that period.
Mourinho, now managing Fenerbahce, referenced the case ahead of his team’s Europa League encounter with United. “As you know, we won the Europa League [in 2017] and we finished second in the Premier League [in 2018],” he said. “I think we still have a chance to win that league because maybe they punish Man City with points and maybe we win that league and then they have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal.”
Mourinho praised United for their stability under current manager Erik ten Hag, contrasting it with his own experience. “I wish the best to Man United since the moment I left… I left with a good feeling to the club and with a good feeling to the fans.”
Regarding his own record against United, Mourinho noted, “We are going to try and we can do it, but there is a gap.” He emphasized the importance of home support in the upcoming match.
Mourinho also shared his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson, who will step down as United’s ambassador at season’s end. “He is amazing, incredible… He has the love and respect of every Man United fan around the world.”
Despite facing criticism for Fenerbahce’s current standing in the Turkish league, Mourinho remains optimistic about his future. “Sooner or later they [Manchester United] will succeed… Hopefully it is sooner, hopefully before one day I go back to the Premier League and they become my opponent.”
