I could be 80 before Man City verdict arrives – Mourinho

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has quipped that he might be 80 years old by the time Manchester City’s financial case reaches its final verdict. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, Mourinho opted for a lighthearted approach to the protracted process following an independent commission’s ruling that City had breached significant Premier League financial regulations.

"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 quipped.

City has already appealed the findings, which covered a period from 2009 to 2018. During the interview, Mourinho also playfully chatted about former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who now leads the Brazilian national team. "I told Carlo Ancelotti that I’m sick of him!" Mourinho exclaimed. "Every day walking through the hallway at Real Madrid, there are photos of Carlo here, photos of Carlo there.

I am fed up, come on!" Ancelotti had previously requested permission to visit the club’s Valdebebas training ground to check on Brazilian players like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Endrick. Mourinho playfully rebuffed him, telling Ancelotti he ought to reconsider.

The Real Madrid manager also addressed his ongoing disputes with referees, stating that he does not believe he is the source of the issue, but rather that the problem lies in bad luck and arriving at particular clubs at specific times.