Xavi: ‘Mourinho Wants War, Not Football’
REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has stated that Jose Mourinho sometimes wants war over football.
Xavi, who currently plays for Qatari outfit Al Sadd, has faced Jose Mourinho’s teams – both Inter and Real Madrid – during his time with the Catalan Giants. The midfielder was also very much in the midst of chaos during the heated Mourinho-Guardiola rivalry in La Liga.
And now, the 36-year-old has spoken to The Daily Mirror, about how Jose Mourinho prefers war over football during crisis – referencing Manchester United’s recent 4-0 thumping at the hands of Chelsea.
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Xavi said: “Sometimes, when things don’t go well for Mourinho, he wants war not football, like when he was at Madrid. I hope we don’t see that again in England.”
The legendary Spaniard then talked about Pep vs Jose, ahead of Wednesday’s Manchester Derby in the EFL Cup.
“When I knew they would be rival coaches again, I knew it would be good for football,” he said. “I knew it would be especially good for English football. They’re two of the best coaches in the world and their duel can be the best in football.
“Both coaches are going to want to win this game. I don’t believe this is a competition they will not take seriously.
Reuters / Eddie Keogh
“Pep will not be worrying, that’s not his way – but he will not have been happy with recent results – and a good win against the biggest rivals could put them on a good run again. Pep will also want to win his first competition with City, that will be important for him.
“Even with City dropping some points in the league, I still think under Pep they’ll be champions this season.”
However, Xavi did have a few good things to say about Mourinho and the Red Devils as well.
“The domestic competitions have to be everything for United and Mourinho this season,” he added. “I don’t think this season they can win the Premier League, these competitions are their hope for a trophy.
“Once Mourinho has had another transfer window, maybe they’ll be ready, but for now they must secure a finish in a Champions League spot – that’s where United belong.”
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