Jose Mourinho has not ruled out claiming a fourth Premier League winner’s medal, as well as the bonus that comes with it.
His Manchester United side finished second to Manchester City in 2017/18. But with City currently in a legal battle over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules, the possibility remains that many of their past achievements may yet be declared null and void, or changed due to points deductions applied to previous seasons.
The hearing commenced just over a month ago and a range of punishments could be levelled at City if they are found guilty, though retrospective action is deemed unlikely.
Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with United in the Europa League this Thursday, Fenerbahce boss Mourinho declared that he will be keeping a close eye on proceedings.
“As you know, we won Europa League, we finished second in the Premier League,” said the Portuguese. “I think we still have a chance to win that league if they punish Man City. And then [United] have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal!”
Mourinho lasted just over two years at United after failing to rediscover the success of legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson. A sequence of subsequent managers have also tried and failed to emulate the Scot.
Senior figures at Old Trafford have taken a more patient approach with current head coach Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman is now in his third season at the helm, and part-owners INEOS are giving him every chance to succeed despite concerning results and the club’s lowest-ever Premier League finish last season.
“I have wished the best to Man United since the moment I left,” admitted Mourinho, who has taken charge of Tottenham, AS Roma and now Fenerbahce since leaving the Red Devils. “I left with a good feeling towards the club and the fans, and I want the best for them. If things are not going amazingly well for them, it’s not something that makes me happy.
“But at the same time, it does not make sense for me to be thinking about what happened and what didn’t happen. Right now they are supporting the coach, he is staying season after season, and that means stability. They are giving him the conditions to keep his job. That is a difference in relation to my situation.”
On the game itself, the 61-year-old added: “I don’t see any reason for Man United to be afraid of Fenerbahce but I think they know it’s not an easy game for them. If they think it’s easy, if they come thinking it’s going to be easy, it’s the wrong approach.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk