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Jose Mourinho’s rant about Arsenal hiring Mikel Arteta leaves him with egg on his face
Arsenal took a punt on an unproven Mikel Arteta back in 2020 – a decision that frustrated Jose Mourinho – but the Gunners have since prospered from that decision
Jose Mourinho clearly felt Arsenal chose the wrong man when they hired Mikel Arteta late in 2020.
The Gunners were on the lookout for a new boss having axed Unai Emery and, after a search that took several weeks, opted to bring in the man who had served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City. Arteta had enjoyed an excellent education, but never before had he held the top job.
At the same time one Carlo Ancelotti, a three-time Champions League winner, was out of a job after being shown the door by Napoli. Despite speculation linking him with the Emirates vacancy Arsenal opted for youth over experience and Everton pounced on the Italian.
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Mourinho found himself coaching in the other half of north London at Tottenham. Clubs had increasingly begun to appoint new-age managers – those with little experience but who, on paper, as a result of the managers they’d played and worked under, could make top coaches.
The Special One had clearly grown frustrated, especially as the methods he employed had begun to be deemed as old school. He took a swipe at Arsenal and Arteta, suggesting they chose the Spaniard not because of his achievements, but because he was yet to fail as a manager.
Mourinho said: “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. 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?
Jose Mourinho mocked Arsenal’s decision to hire Mikel Arteta
Jose Mourinho mocked Arsenal’s decision to hire Mikel Arteta ( Image: EMPICS Sport)
“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 (sic) less defeats, so guys with less defeats are given the job. I cannot find another reason.”
Arteta and Mourinho would square off for the first time late in Arteta’s first season as a manager. He’d by no means hit the ground running, but there were shoots of optimism. It was the master who would get one over on the new boy, securing a 2-1 win late on.
The Tottenham boss would continue holding all the cards when they met again early the following season. Mourinho’s side were tipped as early title contenders after an impressive start to the campaign and made light work of a poor Arsenal side, winning 2-0 at home.
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently ninth in Serie A
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently ninth in Serie A
Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal title contenders
Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal title contenders
By the time they met later in the season though pressure was mounting on the Special One as results nosedived. It would only get worse as the Gunners picked up the three points despite going a goal down. Mourinho’s frustrations were clear and he’d soon be out of a job.
Arteta’s stock was on the rise and the club’s methods, patience and recruitment policy would soon bear fruit. Despite a slow start to the season, Arsenal challenged for the top four, eventually missing out to Tottenham who by that point were being led by Antonio Conte while Mourinho was back at work in Italy.
Arsenal’s upward trajectory has continued and last season’s title challenge surprised many. Despite falling short optimism and belief in Arteta as one of the game’s top managers continues to grow. Mourinho meanwhile saw Roma fall short in the Europa League final with his outburst at full-time becoming an all too familiar image.
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Jose Mourinho’s rant about Arsenal hiring Mikel Arteta leaves him with egg on his face
Arsenal took a punt on an unproven Mikel Arteta back in 2020 – a decision that frustrated Jose Mourinho – but the Gunners have since prospered from that decision
Jose Mourinho clearly felt Arsenal chose the wrong man when they hired Mikel Arteta late in 2020.
The Gunners were on the lookout for a new boss having axed Unai Emery and, after a search that took several weeks, opted to bring in the man who had served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City. Arteta had enjoyed an excellent education, but never before had he held the top job.
At the same time one Carlo Ancelotti, a three-time Champions League winner, was out of a job after being shown the door by Napoli. Despite speculation linking him with the Emirates vacancy Arsenal opted for youth over experience and Everton pounced on the Italian.
Arsenal ready to rub salt in the wounds by moving for star after brutal Man Utd snub
Arsenal fans stunned as Bukayo Saka finishes below Andre Onana in Ballon d’Or rankings
Mourinho found himself coaching in the other half of north London at Tottenham. Clubs had increasingly begun to appoint new-age managers – those with little experience but who, on paper, as a result of the managers they’d played and worked under, could make top coaches.
The Special One had clearly grown frustrated, especially as the methods he employed had begun to be deemed as old school. He took a swipe at Arsenal and Arteta, suggesting they chose the Spaniard not because of his achievements, but because he was yet to fail as a manager.
Mourinho said: “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. 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?
Jose Mourinho mocked Arsenal’s decision to hire Mikel Arteta
Jose Mourinho mocked Arsenal’s decision to hire Mikel Arteta ( Image: EMPICS Sport)
“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 (sic) less defeats, so guys with less defeats are given the job. I cannot find another reason.”
Arteta and Mourinho would square off for the first time late in Arteta’s first season as a manager. He’d by no means hit the ground running, but there were shoots of optimism. It was the master who would get one over on the new boy, securing a 2-1 win late on.
The Tottenham boss would continue holding all the cards when they met again early the following season. Mourinho’s side were tipped as early title contenders after an impressive start to the campaign and made light work of a poor Arsenal side, winning 2-0 at home.
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently ninth in Serie A
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently ninth in Serie A
Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal title contenders
Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal title contenders
By the time they met later in the season though pressure was mounting on the Special One as results nosedived. It would only get worse as the Gunners picked up the three points despite going a goal down. Mourinho’s frustrations were clear and he’d soon be out of a job.
Arteta’s stock was on the rise and the club’s methods, patience and recruitment policy would soon bear fruit. Despite a slow start to the season, Arsenal challenged for the top four, eventually missing out to Tottenham who by that point were being led by Antonio Conte while Mourinho was back at work in Italy.
Arsenal’s upward trajectory has continued and last season’s title challenge surprised many. Despite falling short optimism and belief in Arteta as one of the game’s top managers continues to grow. Mourinho meanwhile saw Roma fall short in the Europa League final with his outburst at full-time becoming an all too familiar image.
Join our new WhatsApp community! Clickthis link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Watch the Premier League, Champions League and more
Watch the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and much more
£29.99 a month and get access to discovery+ Premium at no extra cost
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