After the Champions League final on television, Jose Mourinho couldn’t help but poke fun at Arsene Wenger.
As an analyst for TNT Sports, Mourinho was covering Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday night. Alongside Rio Ferdinand, the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss analysed Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League victory—another team he had managed.
The 61-year-old, who will soon take over as Fenerbahce manager, shared a hug with defeated Dortmund manager Erdin Terzic, encouraged Toni Kroos to reconsider his retirement decision, and snapped a picture with Jude Bellingham’s mother.
Even after a long night of broadcasting, he couldn’t let the mention of Wenger’s name pass without voicing his thoughts.
“Arsene Wenger was just floating around here before the match and after the game. I would’ve loved to have grabbed him for a quick interview,” said presenter Laura Woods. Rio Ferdinand then added, “I’d have had to have stood in between him and Jose!”
Mourinho replied, “Ask him about what he wants to do with the offside rule. My God! Oh my God. Let me go before [you speak to him] please.”
After much laughter, Wood’s then said, “We did want to keep him slightly separate… I would’ve loved to have seen another face-off.” With a twinkle in his eye, Mourinho interuprted, “No, no, it’s time for me to go!”
Watch the video as posted on X:
He couldn't resist a dig at Arsene Wenger 💥
Never change, Jose 🤣#UCLfinal | @laura_woodsy | @rioferdy5 pic.twitter.com/hzXRpgrofo
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 1, 2024
Wenger, who is currently FIFA’s head of global football development, frequently faced Mourinho during his tenure as manager of Arsenal. Part of his duties have seen the Frenchman propose changes to the game’s rules, some of which have generated debate.
The offside rule proposed by Wenger in 2020 suggests that there must be “daylight” between the attacker and the defender for an offside to occur. Should any part of the attacker’s body, which they can score with, be in line with the last defender, then it is considered onside.
However, Jose Mourinho does not agree with this line of thought, and it was evident in his remarks in the interview.
Fans react to Jose Mourinho’s comment
Jose Mourinho’s remark on Wenger’s proposed offside rule brings back memories of the rivalry between both managers, with fans reacting on social media.
One said, “Rent free. Wenger > Jose”
‘Another fan said, ”Jose Mourinho always has a thing or two up his sleeves. Arsène Wenger is a gentleman, he wouldn’t respond.”
A third who is not in support of Wenger’s proposed rule said,”Bro, the offside rule edit is crap, it is rightly being made fun of. End of story. There’s no hate or animosity here. No malice”.
Another critic of Wenger’s rule commented, ”That offside rule is a joke. How can. A full players body be offside if his arms can’t be a goal? It’s an obstruction to use your hand in our football and if he uses it, it has to be called as offside!”
”The fraud has decline so much he’s about to manage Fenerbahce! He shouldn’t talk!” another fan said, trolling Mourinho for his recent managerial appointment with Fenerbache.
