Mourinho reignites Guardiola rivalry with dig at treatment of Man City player

14 December 2023 , 23:54

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Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho (Image: PA)

Jose Mourinho has taken a shot at Pep Guardiola over the future of Kalvin Phillips, who could leave Manchester City in the upcoming January transfer window.

Phillips has struggled for game time since joining City from Leeds for £42million in 2022, making just two Premier League starts. And Guardiola has admitted he is willing to let Phillips as he cannot "visualise" him getting more minutes at the Etihad.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Guardiola said when asked about the midfielder's future. "I feel so sorry for my decision for him. I've said that many times. He doesn't deserve what has happened to him and I'm so sorry.

"The only thing I can say about him is I am asking for good personalities and characters and he is a perfect example. And after that I have to give him something and I didn't do that. It's just because I visualise some things and visualise the team and things - and I struggle to see him.

"I'm not very pleased [with myself] and I am so sorry for him. I will not say that [to him] because it is a business and I have to be a professional. But if one guy behaves [poorly], I don't care. But the way he behaves with the team-mates and everyone, I care.

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"So that's why hopefully it can turn around. And I've said many times, if it comes to January and he stays, I'm more than pleased because he trains really good and he's a lovely guy and character."

And Mourinho has criticised Guardiola's treatment of the England international, highlighting how easy it is for him to buy and sell players. Mourinho, meanwhile, has had to get creative in the transfer market this season with Roma relying mostly on loans and free transfers.

Kalvin Phillips has struggled for game time at Manchester City (Getty Images)

When discussing the possibility of Roma making any new signings in January, Mourinho could not resist taking a dig at the City boss given the pair have shared an intense rivalry over the years which stems from the time in Spain managing Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"Look, not that I'm jealous, but Manchester City, for example, paid €80 million for Phillips," Mourinho said, as per beIN Sports. "And now, in January, Pep said he will send him away and buy another [midfielder].

"We are in a different reality. I would like one, two, three or four players, and [Roma sporting director] Tiago Pinto and the owners would like them too. We all want to try to improve the team to be stronger for the second half of the season. But we have difficulties in trying to do that."

Matthew Cooper