Mourinho aims dig at Arsenal over decision to appoint Arteta over Ancelotti

December 21, 2019 By Ali M.

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Mikel Arteta, Carlo Ancelotti, Arsenal, Tottenham, English Premier League

It was the same old Mourinho, taking a jibe at the Gunners once again.

Friday saw Arsenal unveil Mikel Arteta as their new head coach, succeeding Unai Emery and caretaker Freddie Ljungberg to take over the Gunners. It was no secret that he was the incoming tactician but despite all of this, this did not stop the detractors from voicing their criticism.

Those that weren’t keen on the Spaniard’s appointment pointed to his experience, or lack thereof, as the biggest reason why this was a wrong move. Things were made worse by the fact that the north London giants passed on the opportunity to recruit Everton-bound Carlo Ancelotti, an experienced and proven manager who has won three Champions League crowns and domestic titles in Italy, England, France, and Germany.

Jose Mourinho echoed this sentiment when he weighed in on Arsenal’s recent appointment. Despite being a reformed man at a new club, the Special One embodied the same ol’ Jose and did what he does best: aim a dig at the Gunners.

The Tottenham boss joked about their north London rivals’ decision to go with Arteta, who has never managed a single game as a head coach, over Ancelotti, a gaffer who like Mourinho has done it in several countries.

“The only point I can find, and it is for us to laugh a little bit, is that years ago the best managers were the guys with more victories and now the best is the guy with the fewest defeats,” Jose said (as per Goal).

“So, Ancelotti has three Champions Leagues, won the league in Italy, France and England and won cups here and there – but Ancelotti has lost, I don’t know, 200 matches?

“I have lost 150-180 – Carlo is a little bit older than me. I think now it is not about how much you won, it is about the matches we didn’t lose. So, probably the best managers now are the managers with zero defeats.

“The only reason I can understand is that they look through the CVs and see guys with more defeats and guys with less defeats, so guys with less defeats are given the job. I cannot find another reason.”

Many will agree with the Portuguese tactician’s words. Nonetheless, Arteta is the man in charge and his focus will be to stable the ship at the Emirates Stadium. Since the beginning of October, Aubameyang and Co. have won only one league game and are now 10th in the table.

In his first press conference, the Spaniard admitted that things are in shambles and he also hinted that players who do not give it their all for his philosophy and approach will be ushered out. It will be interesting to see how things fold at the club.

The two north London giants are in for tricky games this weekend. The Gunners will be making the trip to Everton while Harry Kane and Co. will hose Chelsea, Mourinho's former club, on Sunday.