„Manchester United“ head coach Jose Mourinho gave an exclusive interview to the „Sky Sports“ team as the Manchester derby approaches and shared his thoughts with journalist Patrick Davison.
As soon as the Portuguese sat down, he admitted that he had „never been cautious with words“.
„It's not me. And it's not „Manchester United“. This club is just too big for that.“
J. Mourinho had his decision in mind, which had been discussed with the players, to announce that the club is aiming for the championship title. While other managers at the time chose more cautious words and publicly expressed somewhat humbler and safer goals.
Pep Guardiola certainly knows how outspoken J. Mourinho can be. As the coach of „Barcelona“, the Spaniard has faced open criticism from the Portuguese on more than one occasion.
However, in this interview J. Mourinho is presented differently. He was respectful, understanding, and since the day he became the coach of „United“ he has been focusing solely on his team. In short, he was cautious.
„I am not interested“, - J. Mourinho spoke about all the hype and attention-grabbing matches. „I just want to be at „Old Trafford“ stadium when the match begins. If I could, I would agree to play already last night.“
He reluctantly delved into discussions about the past with P. Guardiola. The Portuguese does not think that past incidents between the two managers will have any influence on the upcoming match.
„These are completely different situations. „Barcelona“ is „Barcelona“, not „Manchester City“. Milan's „Inter“ and Madrid's „Real“ are not „Manchester United“. They are different players, different philosophies, different priorities.“
Unlike most of us, J. Mourinho does not call the beginning of a new era simply big expenditures and potentially the arrivals of two of the best coaches in the world to the respective clubs.
„When I arrived in 2004, „Manchester City“ was not fighting for the title. I went to Italy, Spain, and when I came back it was a completely different „Manchester City“. They won the title under Mancini, they triumphed with Pellegrini. It was a new beginning. This season they are exactly the same title contenders as before.“
„They are a very good team with good players and of course a very good coach, who makes them all even better. Nothing more than that.“
„Every coach is different, each has their own ideas. Sometimes those differences are very obvious, sometimes not so noticeable. I watched all their matches and there are definitely details that are characteristic only of Guardiola's style of play.“
It's interesting that J. Mourinho sees the absence of „Man City“'s forward Sergio Aguero not as something facilitating, but as something complicating. The Portuguese says that he knows how opponents play with the Argentine forward on the field. When S. Aguero is absent, he is not as sure.
He also admitted that there is only one thing that pleasantly unnerves him - the atmosphere at „Old Trafford“ stadium during the derby. The Portuguese says he can't wait to experience this feeling.
„Sometimes when you play at home, you don't feel like you are in your home stadium. Playing at „Old Trafford“ you really feel like you are at home. I can only imagine that when the main rivals arrive, the atmosphere will be even more impressive. The stadium will be filled with a fantastic atmosphere, I hope everything goes well and we will put three points on the board."“
It was not often characteristic of J. Mourinho to remember his previous clashes with P. Guardiola. However, this time Mou is determined to direct all verbal battles onto the field to prove himself there.
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