'I won FAIRLY and CLEANLY!' - Jose Mourinho bites back at Pep Guardiola over Premier League titles jibe with reference to Man City's '150 lawsuits'

After City's 2-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend, Reds fans chanted Guardiola should be "sacked in the morning", prompting the smiling Spaniard to repeatedly raise six fingers to the crowd to signify the amount of Premier League titles he has won over at the Etihad Stadium. When it was put to the ex-Barcelona boss that he could suffer a similar fate to former Manchester United manager Mourinho, who called for "respect" after winning three English top-flight titles, Guardiola made reference to his superior record. Now, Fenerbahce boss Mourinho says he won "fairly and cleanly", in reference to City facing 115 charges for alleged financial fair play breaches.

When asked about the Mourinho comparison, Guardiola told reporters: "I hope not in my case… He won three, I won six.. but we are the same like that. We are together in the those situations. To make our fans know that we are much, much better than the people that sing that [Liverpool fans singing sacked in the morning]. It [the gesture] was just to make our fans feel that what we have done is extraordinary. I want to prove that we are an incredible football club. Sooner or later it’s going to be the end but I will try to extend as much as possible for the best of my club."

Mourinho has since responded: "Guardiola said something to me yesterday. He won six trophies and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly. If I lost, I want to congratulate my opponent because he was better than me. I don’t want to win by dealing with 150 lawsuits."

Mourinho and Guardiola will go down as two of the greatest managers in football history, but the latter does hold the edge in terms of titles won in England. However, if City are found guilty of breaking the rules, an asterisk may be put against Guardiola's legacy.

While City await the verdict of their court case, Guardiola's side are away at lowly Crystal Palace on Saturday in the Premier League whereas Mourinho's Fenerbahce travel to Besiktas on the same day in Super Lig action.