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Jose Mourinho makes thinly veiled attack on 'crying' Arsene Wenger as Chelsea vs Arsenal fallout continues

The Blues boss didn't mention Wenger by name but his target was obvious

Simon Rice
Friday 25 September 2015 16:21 BST
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Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger came to blow on the touchline in 2015
Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger came to blow on the touchline in 2015

Jose Mourinho appeared to launch a fresh attack on Arsene Wenger today, accusing the Arsenal manager of "crying".

The Chelsea manager didn't specifically name his Arsenal counterpart, but there seemed little doubt that was who he was referring to with his comments.

When asked about the pressure on Newcastle manager Steve McClaren, Mourinho responded: "I think in this country, only one manager is not under pressure.

"Steve is under pressure, I am under pressure, Brendan (Rodgers, the Liverpool boss) is under pressure, (Manchester City's Manuel) Pellegrini is under pressure.

"We cannot lose matches, we cannot be below expectations.

"There is one that for some reason is outside that list. Good for him."

Mourinho repeatedly declined to name the individual he believes to be the exception.

"Just one out of 20," he added.

The Blues boss was asked for a name again and, although he would not name him, he appeared to be referring to Wenger, who pushed him in the Stamford Bridge technical area in October 2014.

"You know," Mourinho said.

"He can speak about the referees before the game, can speak about the referees after the game, can push people in the technical area, can cry in the morning, can cry in the afternoon, nothing happens. Can be not achieved, keep the job, still the king. It's a privilege."

Mourinho's comments follow last weekend's fiery encounter between Chelsea and Arsenal and Stamford Bridge. The game saw Chelsea striker Diego Costa retrospectively banned for violent conduct, for which he will be missing his second game of a three-match ban this weekend.

Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger square up

Meanwhile, the FA rescinded a ban for Gunners defender Gabriel, who was sent off for his exchange with Costa.

Mourinho refused to comment on those decisions.

"If I answer I'm going to be suspended," Mourinho said.

"I don't want to touch the theme and everything that surrounds this situation because I want to be on the bench.

"I don't comment and I tell you why: some managers can speak about the referee before the game and after the game and some others cannot. I am in the list of the ones that cannot.

"An imaginary list, but clearly."

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