Pellegrini guarded over Mourinho FFP criticism

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini seemed less than pleased with Jose Mourinho’s comments regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions but refused to be drawn into a war of words.

The Portuguese stated on Friday that City – fined £49million fine last year for FFP violations – needed to be docked points instead. 

Mourinho told the Daily Mail: “When Manchester City pays off £50million of fine because they exceeded the FFP, I think it’s unfair.”

The Chelsea boss has resumed a spat with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger during recent weeks but Pellegrini refused to retaliate with full force on Friday.

“No, no. I don’t have any views about that,” he told reporters.

“Every manager can say what they want. I think don’t lose points because we don’t deserve to.

“There are so many things that [Mourinho] always says that it doesn’t matter – about Chelsea or referees or the FA Cup or other managers or other things.

“When you think that everything is normal to say to win, you can say what you want. I think as a manager [I] have a different way of thinking about this.

“If you think that to win a game you can do all that you can, you can do it. I don’t think the same way.

“He does what he needs to win. I don’t know what Arsene Wenger said today – I always try to think in the same way when we are winning or losing.

“You ask me about this season – I think that Chelsea was the best team, that they deserve to win the title because they have been the most consistent team with very good players.

“I congratulate their owner because he is always improving his squad and I congratulate their fans and Jose Mourinho and the players because they deserve absolutely the title.”