Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has joked that he could be 80 years old before Manchester City’s financial case reaches its final conclusion.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport ahead of resumption of League games, Mourinho said he had chosen to make light of the lengthy process following an independent commission’s findings that City breached Premier League financial rules.
“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.
City have already appealed the findings, which relate to alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.
In the same interview, Mourinho spoke humorously about former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who currently coaches Brazil.
“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 revealed that Ancelotti had recently sought permission to visit Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground to check on 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-standing clashes with referees, insisting he did not believe he was responsible for the repeated 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.”
