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Guardiola, however, shut down any possible tensions between the two by clarifying that his comments at the time were not meant to spark animosity toward his rival but rather to make a joking comment.
Jose Mourinho (left) and Pep Guardiola (AP Photo)
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola responded to Jose Mourinho’s scathing take on their rivalry in the Premier League, clarifying that until the club is found guilty of the 115 financial offences, they should be considered innocent.
The Spaniard ignited the old rivalry with the Portuguese man by commenting that he has six Premier League titles, twice more than his rival, Mourinho. The former Chelsea boss hit back by reminding him that all of his titles came fairly and that he did not have any charges looming around him during his title-winning season.
Guardiola, however, shut down any possible tensions between the two by clarifying that his comments at the time were not meant to spark animosity toward his rival but rather to make a joking comment.
“What I said was just a joke. José Mourinho is another in the long list of people who want us, I don’t know, in League One or the Conference League,” he said in the press conference ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
“I’ll answer him the same way: we’re innocent until proven guilty. So, let’s see what happens, but what I said was just a joke,” Guardiola added.
The six-time Premier League-winning coach insisted that both himself and Mourinho are indeed among the greatest managers in the English top flight, with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
“Both of us, him with Chelsea and me with Manchester City, can sit round the table with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger for the many titles we’ve won. If I offended Mourinho, I apologise, but I was joking. He has three, I have six, that’s a fact, but I didn’t want to hurt him. I’ve said it several times, let’s wait for the judgment. In a democracy, we’re all innocent until proven guilty, right?” added the Spanish coach.
Manchester City have their next challenge in the London-based club, Crystal Palace. The defending champions have returned to winning ways after beating Nottingham Forest in their previous game. They would hope to continue this run with the return of Kevin De Bruyne back in the side to get back in the title picture.
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