I could be 80 before Man City verdict arrives – Mourinho

Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has joked that he may be 80 years old by the time Manchester City’s financial case reaches a final conclusion.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, Mourinho said he preferred to take a light-hearted view of the lengthy process after an independent commission found City guilty of serious Premier League financial rule breaches.

“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 lodged an appeal against the findings, which covered a period spanning 2009 to 2018.

In the same interview, Mourinho spoke warmly but with humour about former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is now in charge of Brazil.

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“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!”

He revealed that Ancelotti had recently asked permission to visit the club’s Valdebebas training ground to check on Brazilian players including Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Endrick.

“I said: Carlo, are you crazy? But this is Carlo Ancelotti. A gentleman, a great guy.”

Mourinho also addressed his long-running issues with referees.

“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.”

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