Sunday, October 18, 2009

Jose Hits Out At Wenger And Benitez

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has stoked up old rivalries with former Premier League adversaries Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez, claiming he has to win trophies to keep his job.

The former Chelsea manager, speaking about the pressures of managing in Serie A, drew less than complimentary comparisons to the recent records of the Arsenal and Liverpool managers, saying:

"[Arsene] Wenger has been Arsenal's coach for 15 years but he hasn't won even a Carling Cup for six years. [Rafa] Benitez hasn't won a league title in six years but he continues to be Liverpool's coach.

"This is not the Italian mentality. To stay here I must continue winning and do well."

Mourinho guided Inter to the Serie A title last season, and has also lifted the Supercoppa Italiana since taking over the reigns of the Nerazzurri.

And in an interview with Inter Channel, Mourinho, whose inflammatory comments will no doubt be greeted tersely in London and Liverpool, admitted he is called a ‘bausica’ - a Milanese idiom for an arrogant, foul-mouthed person.

"Am I a 'bauscia'? Yes, I know what it means," he said.

"Certainly all the fans know I give everything for the club and also to them. I couldn't work any other way, that's how I am."

Mourinho has certainly lived up to that moniker since replacing former Inter coach Roberto Mancini, receiving three red cards and two touchline bans during his short tenure in Milan.

But after picking holes in Benitez and Wenger’s CVs, the two-time UEFA manager of the year did manage to find some kind words, for one of his own players.

Speaking ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash against Genoa, which sees two of Italian football’s most attack-minded sides go head to head, Mourinho heaped praise on midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

“I would need two Cambiassos, one playing 10 meters further forward and the other 10 meters behind,” he said.

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