WHEN it comes to put downs, there’s no one better at delivering them than Jose Mourinho.
If the Special One’s feathers are ruffled, the Tottenham boss will let you know about it.
Jose Mourinho is the master of the put downsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Through the years, Mourinho has been quick to shoot down his foes firing quick barbsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Just ask Mesut Ozil, who was on the end of a quick comeback from his former boss at Real Madrid, after the German said he’d rather retire than play for Spurs in a fans’ Q&A session on Twitter.
“Who told him Tottenham were interested in signing him?” Mourinho brutally countered in a press conference on Tuesday.
While Scott Parker was also told to pipe down after complaining about lack of preparation time ahead of Wednesday’s game with Fulham.
And that’s not the first time the two-time Champions League winner has attacked one of his foes.
ARSENE WENGER
It’s fair to say Jose and the ex-Arsenal boss rarely saw eye-to-eye during their time in London – once coming to blows at Stamford Bridge when Wenger shoved his nemesis in the technical area in 2014.
That was their row, perhaps, coming to a head after the Frenchman endured some taunts from Mourinho.
First, he was called a “voyeur” by Jose who claimed he was obsessed with his Chelsea team.
He said: “I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur. He likes to watch other people.
“There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea.”
Then there was the famous specialist in failure comment sparked by Wenger’s belief that Chelsea and other Premier League rivals were playing down their title chances because they “fear to fail”.
Arsene Wenger shoves Jose Mourinho in 2014Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Mourinho called Wenger a ‘voyeur’ and a ‘specialist in failure’Credit: AFP or licensors
“If he is right and I am afraid of failure, it is because I didn’t fail many times,” Jose retorted.
“Eight years without silverware, that’s failure. He’s a specialist in failure. If I do that in Chelsea, eight years, I leave and don’t come back.”
LIONEL MESSI
When Spanish left-back Asier Del Horno was harshly sent off for a challenge on Lionel Messi in a Champions League encounter during the 2005-06 season, Mourinho pointed the finger at the Barcelona legend.
In fact, his jibe was definitely one for the thesps, which is where Jose felt Messi had learned a trick or two.
“How do you say cheating in Catalan?” Mourinho began.
“Can Messi be suspended for acting? Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well. He’s learned play-acting.”
In fairness to Messi, he saw the funny side. The forward later appeared on the front of a Spanish sports newspaper for the return match clutching a skull and pretending to utter the famous “to be or not to be” line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Lionel Messi was accused of ‘play-acting’ by MourinhoCredit: AFP
FRANK LAMPARD
Even if you played for Jose in a winning team, you’re not safe from one of his digs.
During a heated Carabao Cup tie earlier this season, Mourinho and Lampard clashed.
“F****** hell Frank, when you’re losing 3-0 you’re not standing up here,” Mourinho was heard shouting across his dugout – a clear reference to Chelsea’s previous game when they were trailing West Brom 3-0 at half-time.
And after the final whistle, Mourinho explained his actions further.
He revealed at the full-time: “The only thing I was telling him was an opinion, just an opinion from an old coach to a young talented coach which was when the players need us is when they are losing.
“When they are winning we don’t need to be the protagonists of the touchline.
“We need to be there when they are losing and the last match when they were losing 3-0 I felt sorry for him because he was really sad and quiet in his chair.”
Mourinho added: “It is just an opinion. Stay on the touchline when your team is losing and stay calm when your team is winning.”
Mourinho criticised Frank Lampard saying he’s only out of his seat when his team are winningCredit: Rex Features
Lampard and Mourinho clashed in the Carabao CupCredit: Reuters
RAFA BENITEZ
After his infamous Sir Alex Ferguson ‘facts’ rant, Rafa took a break from our shores to manage Inter Milan.
He had taken the reigns of the European Champions, with Mourinho leaving that post after a successful two years in Italy.
Immediately, Rafa won the 2010 Club World Cup, but Mourinho was adamant the praise should be his for creating a winning team.
“I thought he was going to thank me for the title I gave him. Ask all the Inter fans what they think of me and him,” he quipped.
And when Benitez’s wife Montze said her husband’s managerial career involved “tidying up the messes” left by Mourinho, the Portuguese manager bit back.
Mourinho said: “The lady is a bit confused, with all respect.
Mourinho demanded a thank you from Rafa Benitez for his 2010 World Club Cup winCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
“I’m not laughing, because her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti.
“The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time.
“And for her also to think about me and to speak about me, I think she needs to occupy her time, and if she takes care of her husband’s diet she will have less time to speak about me.”
PEP GUARDIOLA
Mourinho appeared to get under Pep’s skin again this term over an injury to Raheem Sterling, with the Spaniard labelling his rival a ‘doctor’ for repeatedly claiming the England winger would play when he was reportedly a doubt. Incidentally, he did play as a second half sub.
The pair have traded barbs many times through the years, including an infamous line in which Mourinho poked fun at Guardiola for being bald.
“When you enjoy what you do, you don’t lose your hair, and Guardiola is bald. He doesn’t enjoy football,” he said.
But the most bitter tensions got was when Pep’s Barcelona beat Jose’s Real Madrid 2-0 to reach a Champions League final.
Mourinho felt they were helped by the match officials, claiming Guardiola’s previous Champions League win was also down to scandal.
Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have constantly bickered over timeCredit: Reuters
Mourinho once poked fun at Guardiola for being bald
Mourinho believes Guardiola won the Champions League unjustlyCredit: Phil Shephard-Lewis – The Sun
“Josep Guardiola is a fantastic coach. But I have won two Champions Leagues and he has won [only] one Champions League – and that is one that would embarrass me,” Mourinho said.
“I would be ashamed to have won it with the scandal of Stamford Bridge. If he wins it this year, it will be with the scandal of the Bernabeu. Deep down, if they are good people, it cannot taste right for them.
“I hope one day Guardiola has the chance of winning a brilliant, clean championship with no scandal.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
