José Mourinho: “Pep Guardiola said something to me yesterday… he won six trophies and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly”. “I don’t want to win by dealing with

José Mourinho Responds to Pep Guardiola: “I Won Fairly and Cleanly”

In an intriguing exchange that has sparked debates across the footballing world, José Mourinho has hit back at Pep Guardiola following a recent comment made by the Manchester City manager. Mourinho, who has long been known for his fiery and candid nature, responded to Guardiola’s assertion of winning six trophies in a season by clarifying his stance on success and his approach to the game.

The Guardiola Comment

Pep Guardiola’s recent remark, made to Mourinho, was simple but charged. “I won six trophies and you won three,” Guardiola reportedly said. It was a statement that could easily be seen as a reminder of the Catalan’s recent dominance, particularly with Manchester City’s incredible achievements in the past few seasons.

Guardiola’s City won an unprecedented treble in the 2022-2023 season, adding to their list of accomplishments under his leadership. His six trophies, which include domestic league titles, cups, and European silverware, have solidified his reputation as one of the greatest managers in football history.

However, Mourinho, ever the pragmatist, had a different take on the conversation. In his own response, he emphasized not just the quantity of trophies but the nature of how they were won.

Mourinho’s Response: A Matter of Integrity

“I won fairly and cleanly,” Mourinho said in response to Guardiola’s comment, subtly addressing the ongoing debate surrounding the methods employed by different managers to achieve success. “I don’t want to win by dealing with things outside the field. My victories, my titles — they were achieved with respect for the game, the players, and the sport itself.”

Though Mourinho did not explicitly call out Guardiola or Manchester City’s approach, his words seemed to allude to the controversy surrounding City’s financial fair play violations and the broader discussion about how clubs navigate the business side of football.

Mourinho, who has won league titles and European honors with multiple clubs — including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Manchester United — has long been known for his strong stance on the integrity of the game. His comments were likely a reminder that, for him, success is not solely about trophies but about winning with a clear conscience and without bending the rules.

A Legacy of Fair Play

Mourinho’s response underscores his commitment to fair play throughout his career. While Guardiola’s trophies may have come in an era of unprecedented financial power and dominance by City, Mourinho’s managerial career has often been marked by underdog victories — from Porto’s surprise Champions League win to his success with Inter Milan.

The Portuguese manager has always championed the idea that victory should be earned on the field and not through off-the-pitch advantages. While some might argue that Mourinho’s tactics have sometimes skirted the line between pragmatism and cynicism, his belief in clean competition remains a cornerstone of his philosophy.

The Mourinho-Guardiola Rivalry

This back-and-forth between Mourinho and Guardiola is just the latest chapter in one of the most famous managerial rivalries in football. The two have clashed numerous times, particularly when Guardiola was at Barcelona and Mourinho at Real Madrid. Their battles for supremacy in Spain were legendary, and their differing styles — Guardiola’s fluid, possession-based football versus Mourinho’s counter-attacking, pragmatic approach — made for a fascinating rivalry.

While the two managers have expressed mutual respect at times, their competitive nature has often led to tensions. Guardiola, known for his meticulous attention to detail and emphasis on tactical innovation, has often been seen as the more progressive figure. In contrast, Mourinho’s focus on solid defensive organization and a more direct style of play has earned him a reputation as a master of “winning ugly.”

Despite their differences, both managers share a deep desire for success and a relentless drive to win, even if their methods diverge. Mourinho’s response, however, suggests that for him, the manner in which you achieve success matters just as much as the trophies themselves.

The Bigger Picture: Trophies vs. Ethics

At the heart of Mourinho’s comments lies an ongoing debate in football: is it enough to win trophies, or is the way in which they are won just as important? In the modern game, where financial resources and off-the-field factors play an increasingly large role in a club’s success, Mourinho’s view highlights the ethical dimension of football.

For many fans, the question remains: should clubs be celebrated for accumulating silverware regardless of how they achieve it? Or should success be measured by a combination of both on-field achievement and the integrity with which it is obtained?

Guardiola’s dominance at Manchester City has been hard to ignore, but Mourinho’s insistence on “winning fairly and cleanly” is a reminder that football’s values extend beyond just the final score. It’s about respect for the game, the opposition, and the way you conduct yourself both on and off the pitch.

What’s Next for Mourinho and Guardiola?

As the season progresses, both Mourinho and Guardiola will undoubtedly continue to battle for supremacy in their respective leagues. Mourinho, now managing AS Roma in Italy, has been working to build a competitive team capable of challenging for both Serie A titles and European honors. Meanwhile, Guardiola and City will look to defend their titles and add to their growing list of achievements.

Whether their rivalry will escalate further or evolve into mutual respect remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Mourinho’s commitment to integrity and fair play in the game will continue to define his managerial philosophy, even in the face of overwhelming competition

As always, the world will be watching, as the two legendary figures continue their pursuit of glory — each in their own, unmistakable way.