Mourinho: Real Madrid can't compete with City's transfer muscle

August 24, 2010

Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has admitted Manchester City are "dominant in the market" after outbidding the Spanish giants to sign Serbia full-back Aleksander Kolarov.

Kolarov joined City last month for £16million as part of another remarkable summer of team strengthening which has seen their Middle East owners plough more than £100m into the club.

And Mourinho, who joined Madrid after leading Inter Milan to a domestic and European treble last season, concedes even they can't compete.

"I understand that if someone wants to compete with them for a player it is very difficult, they are dominant in the market," he told Sky Sports News.

"The player they say they want is the player they get.

"I was interested in Kolarov when I came here but I couldn't compete with them as they went to values that I couldn't.

"If they have the money they can do it, if they have the ambition to win the Premier League they can do it."

Mourinho believes this season's Barclays Premier League title race is between City, Manchester United and his old club Chelsea.

"I believe Chelsea, Man United and Man City, that's it," he added, before dismissing the chances of Liverpool.

"It's very difficult for (new Liverpool manager) Roy Hodgson as over the last three years they have been getting worse, worse and worse.

"He needs time."

Mourinho also ruled out the possibility of signing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and City's Emmanuel Adebayor.

When asked about luring Adebayor to the Bernabeu, he said: "I think no chance.

"The historical dimension of Real Madrid and Manchester City you can't compare. But the economical dimension you can compare.

"And maybe they will win (the Premier League).

"So I think at the minute Man City is the club to keep their best players and to buy the players that nobody expects them to buy.

"I don't think, just one year after buying Emmanuel from Arsenal, he's the player to leave."

Drogba has also been linked with a reunion with Mourinho but the former Chelsea boss admitted: "Again, no chance."

Do you agree with Mourinho? Have your say.

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Dog Egg, A Corner flag at Eastlands (24/08/2010 at 09:41)

isn't it boring? one or two profile signings is always interesting but this feels like the kid at the game shop bought the new release with the cheat book !

Sizzler, Pieland (24/08/2010 at 10:36)

Awww, there there now diddums, dry those tears on your little Norwich scarf - reality bites the duck egg at last, he, hee, hee CTID, LGHU

Tulse Luper, Greater Manchester (24/08/2010 at 10:40)

No, you're the boring one, duck egg.

Co. Kildare Blue (24/08/2010 at 11:08)

Have you any idea how broing it has been for the neutral watching Man Yoo win titles for the past 10 years? City are shaking up the establishment and everyone loves that- except Man Yoo.

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Bish Poured, The naughty step (24/08/2010 at 09:44)

You think it`s bad now Jose. Just wait until you have to play us.

black grape (24/08/2010 at 11:08)

...on a friendly then ?

Ramblas Rebel 99, Manchester (24/08/2010 at 11:11)

Real Madrid are in the CL, you're not so how are you going to play them?

hmmm, here (24/08/2010 at 12:49)

Rag mentality: Things will always be like they are now.
You tried to fix it in stone like that with your PLC abuse of FA rules, your jumping in bed with the Premier League and the farcical "Champion's" League.
But you failed. Things change in football, real fans know that.
They'll play us. Mourinho knows it, we know it.. and we know that for all the talk, you know it too.

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bricktop, manchester (24/08/2010 at 09:52)

thank u jose xx

Dribble, Manchester (24/08/2010 at 09:52)

Can't remember Mourinho complaining when Ambramovic's tanks rolled up onto the Premiership's lawn and started firing roubles at everyone else!!!

Strewth................

M16, Manchester (24/08/2010 at 11:13)

Good point.

However, things are going to change...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/24/manchester-city-uefa-spending-rules

The Insider, CTID. (24/08/2010 at 11:56)

He was`nt complaining, he accepts it gracefully as does Roy Hodgeson, unlike the purple grumpy grape !!!

PJS, Oz (24/08/2010 at 18:16)

M16 - Unfortunately Matt Scott who wrote that has nfi what he is on about, another poorly researched piece. I suggest you read Martin Samuel's piece which is more accurate on the UEFA directives. In short, until the end of this season (so 1 more transfer window to come), every transfer that happens does not go into the calculations of UEFA turnover.

We can amortize over the player's contract or account for it as a lump sum now, which is what we will do then Sheikh Mansour will "equitize" the loss like he already has and City will start from zero, like resetting a clock, when the new UEFA rules come into place. When we go from "BC" to "AD" under the rules, we will not only have no debt but have a young squad and hardly need to buy players of huge value.

The Rags and Liverpool who are in massive debt also have aging squads and they have 1 window to replace the likes of Gerrard, Scholes, Giggs, Carragher. To a lesser extent at Chelsea with Terry and Lampard, difference being is they have the financial clout. Their downside is they have very few Englishmen.

Lets just say in 2011/12 when City are in the Champions League, if we don't satisfy any strict conditions, then pretty much no club in England will let alone clubs in Spain or Italy. The only clubs in the CL will be from Germany who generate profits.

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Jack Thorley Trafford, Timperley (24/08/2010 at 09:56)

I think like most fan's Adebayor has not looked anything like the player who had played so well for Arsenal in previous seasons.
The fact that Jo was brought on against Liverpool would suggest that Mancini is not happy with him either.
I watched Karim Benzema a lot last season on Setanta TV and thought he was a really good prospect and was not surprised when he signed for Real Madrid.
He has not settled at Real and as he is still only 22, I would offer to swap the seemingly disinterested 26 year old Adebayor for him!

Bish Poured, The naughty step (24/08/2010 at 10:03)

Totally with you Jack. Benzema has an alarming knack of knowing where the corners of the net are. Brilliantly clinical finisher.

proudtobeblue (24/08/2010 at 10:22)

think it more likely he wanted to keep Adebayor and Silva rested for thursday and free of potential injuries with the game comfortably won he could send Jo on rather than Ade, it was the perfect scenario for mancini. he will more than likely rest some of last nights team, and use his squad with the tie all but won. I reckon the line up thursday will be Hart/Lescott/Kompany/K Toure/Zabaleta/Viera/Y Toure/Milner/SWP/Silva/Adebayor with Milner coming into the 3 man midfield

Love the Glazers, Hate United, Gorton (24/08/2010 at 13:48)

I'd prefer to swap Adebayor for Higuain

Never Boo a Blue and FFS Stay Till the End, Sale (24/08/2010 at 10:00)

Yeh but they are only at little ciddy for the money, just mercenaries, whereas if they came to old toilet, it would be for the shirt and a bowl of rice per day to live on. Those blue shirted heroes played with a hunger and desire for their club last night with 6 English players in the starting line up. When Jose speaks people listen because he talks total sense. Although I think he is slightly wrong, the title will be between City and Chelsea as manyoo fall away when their ageing players run out of legs and the new signings like little poo prove not up to the job.

Bish Poured, The naughty step (24/08/2010 at 11:07)

Yep, that`s how I see it too. City and Chelsea will share top 2.

I saw Colin play, too far South (24/08/2010 at 11:26)

I'm not sure who you support? I'm pretty sure its not City or Utd. Are you having an affair with Jose ?

Bobby Johnstone's left kneecap, Ex-Hong Kong (24/08/2010 at 20:46)

Streford Geriatrics are definitely on the way down. their best days are behind them. Heaven help them if they get any injuries to key players - they just do not have enough good replacements in reserve. Scholes will be 36 in November, Giggs 37 in the same month,Van der Sar 40 in Dec. I could go on. No money to buy replacements, they are in it deep!

PJS, Oz (24/08/2010 at 10:16)

Mourinho is smart to not put the foot into City like so many misguided and ulterior motived journalists, jealous opposing fans, or players who try to say they would never join (half of whom we'd never want anyway).

This is just an acknowledgment from Jose that he would not dare rule himself out of the City job if it ever came up in the future in say 2, 3 or 4 years time when he is done with his Spanish adventure and looking for a move back to England.

It would be naive not to see that Mourinho was ADUG's first choice to replace the clueless one, but Mourinho is shrewd and knew the stage of the project didn't fit with his aims. Mancini is inherently a much better builder of sides, something that Mourinho was able to put the finishing touches on at Inter to clinical effect.

Despite the Rag media obsession to have Mourinho at the swamp, realistically he would never do that because there is no upside for him professionally, anything he does will be compared to Baconface's achievements and Mou is his own man, he won't set himself up to fail. He would never go back to Chelsea, or Liverpool until they are back to a position of strength (won't happen for years, Torres will be gone this season as will Garrard and Carragher to the glue factory within 2 or 3 years). Spurs could be an interesting option if they are still in the top 4 and given their London base.

But i think the thought of managing City was planted in his mind and within a few years it will become a more serious proposition when he is done in Spain.

In the meantime its up to Mancini to deliver the results, and ultimately silverware, that would be expected with the investment. Something i'm sure Mancini will achieve if given a few seasons.

We should recall Mancini worked for an overly expectant owner at Inter and was perhaps unfairly sacked for winning trophies but not being able to deliver the holy Grail of the European Cup, something Mourinho vindicated Inter's president Moratti for taking the harsh decision (similarity to the way Hughes was dispatched and replaced by Mancini, which i think has already been vindicated).

Who knows, will we ever be in a situation where we are routinely winning domestic trophies and European failure once again becomes the point when Mou replaces Manc? As Bobby says "football is strange" and it wouldn't surprise me to see Mansour's expectations to exceed even those of Moratti's (that seemed unrealistic back then) and maybe see lightning strike twice.

Mancini and Mourinho have never crossed paths professionally, they have been exposed to each other on the periphery, even their sides avoiding each other in European competition. If i was a betting man (which i am), i'd say Manc and Mou crossing swords on the bench will be long overdue and you can expect it to happen in the next 2 or 3 (calendar) years. The job of managing City could be the bonus prize in addition to the CL. And we know how much Mou loves leaving team after winning the CL, he's done it twice already.

Anyway, that's 2 or 3 years down the track. Time to enjoy the present.

Andrew Shaw (24/08/2010 at 16:17)

Very well thought through and cogent argument there which may well prove to be prophetic in a few years time.

gj blues, Manchester....just Manchester (24/08/2010 at 22:06)

Excellent post

Mellis, The Alps (24/08/2010 at 23:40)

well put, i enjoy your comments every week, maybe M.E.N should offer you a job

Esso Blue. , Manchester (24/08/2010 at 10:16)

The Richest Club in the world. You know what that means; fee-fi-fo-fum I smell the blood of a load of cups, be them live or be them dead we'll bring them home to put in our glass bed.

Bert is my hero, Cheshire! (24/08/2010 at 10:20)

I think attention has been focused exclusively on City's activities in the transfer market since Sheikh Mansour bought the club, and the impression still remains that our owners a a group of rather naive Arab sugar daddies determined to spend a packet to win a pot! This ignores what to City fans is patently obvious - our owners are shrewd business men with a blueprint for the creation of a great(er) club. The investment in, and redevelopment of, Sportcity has received almost no coverage outside the Manchester area (my friend in Birmingham didn't know what I was talking about only a week ago), nor has the development of infrastructure more directly related to the team's performance on the pitch (training, medical back up etc). There was coverage this morning for the presence of six England internationals in our team last night, all, with the exception of Gareth Barry, players who would be termed "young". This theme of youth has been a key principle of Roberto's activity in the market, but not only for first team players. Sheikh Mansour affirmed his belief in building long term for the future in September 2008, and City have been expanding the Academy ever since. But the Academy is no longer just for the pick of youngsters in the Manchester area - it too is for the best of British, and some outstanding youngsters from abroad. Look at the elite development squad - there really is the City team of the next generation.

The Insider, CTID. (24/08/2010 at 12:05)

Very true bert i now live down sarf lol & you here nothing of the developement arround eastlands, shameful realy but we will have the last laugh, & to Never boo a blue its a 500 mile round trip once a fortnight & i never leave untill the final whistle & never have a problem getting away from the ground, so i agree with you why are people leaving before the whistle !!!

tim chorlton, chorlton (24/08/2010 at 10:24)

And of course City are ruining football?!?

Unlike Chelsea, Real Madrid and historically the rags who were paying 20 million plus nearly TEN YEARS AGO for the likes of Veron and more recently Ferdinand, Carrick, Rooney etc.City's signings look good value for money by comparison.

But as City's team become a wonderful potent force that can brush aside Liverpool and win at a canter all will be forgiven, the ends justify the means in Tabloid world.

Plus we are now truly the ENGLISH club with SEVEN england internationals in the side (Hart, Johnson, Richards Barry, Lescott , Milner and Wright Philips)

The hopes of the England team rest largely on CITY's development of English players now.

Billy G, Stockport (24/08/2010 at 12:27)

and Bridge is still somewhat classed as an English international

Jestem Niebieski (25/08/2010 at 05:27)

Well put Tim. Shouldn't they be proclaiming that City are saving English football not ruining it?

proudtobeblue (24/08/2010 at 10:26)

when people like Mourinho tip us for a tilt at the title people take notice. cheers Jose!

Bob the Baker, God bless the Glazers (24/08/2010 at 10:37)

BANZAI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAN-KEY-UNION, MANCHESTER (24/08/2010 at 10:50)

How the mighty are falling, the rags next.

£1.1billion in debt and rising so no new signings hahaha (24/08/2010 at 11:13)

Dog Egg, A Corner flag at Eastlands (24/08/2010 at 09:41)

isn't it boring? one or two profile signings is always interesting but this feels like the kid at the game shop bought the new release with the cheat book !
Dog Turd is what you should be called, does it hurt when City buy top players and Yoonited scrape the barrel for cast offs

ted knott, droylsden (24/08/2010 at 11:15)

Lets not get carried away here.Ok it is looking good but we need a trophy in the cabinet sooner rather than later and until we do then I'm sorry we will always be there to be shot at.

The Insider, CTID. (24/08/2010 at 12:08)

The moderator needs sacking, who let you back on here lol !!!

Jestem Niebieski (25/08/2010 at 05:25)

That'll be it then - half empty. You obviously prefer the destination ( United fan ) to the ride (City fan)

stan bowles, warrington (24/08/2010 at 11:18)

When Mourinho speaks people tend to listen. It is good that we are finally getting some well-earned respect and recognition. He knows that you have to spend to improve but that's only half the story - you have to be able to put a team together and vary your team and tactics according to the opposition and situation.

st helens blue(exiled) (24/08/2010 at 11:24)

Type your comment here...Randy Lerner
Tony Cascarino
Stan Collymore
Ronnie Irani
Alan Brazil
Ian Abrams
Steve Currie
Neil Ashton
Jez Moxey
Mickey Thomas
Alex Ferguson
Dirk kuyt
Christian Poulsen
Joe Cole
David Villa
Salomon Kalou
Alan Shearer
Alan Hansen
Mark Lawrensen
Darren Gough
Arsene Wenger
Ryan Giggs
David Moyes
Piers Morgan
Ian Wright

The only 2 who haven't - Craig Bellamy and now Jose.

Here is just a tiny list of the so called experts having stated we are ruining football. Well what have you got to say now then? Come on-I can't wait for the "Liverpools demise" argument after last night!
You could just sense the media hacks praying we lost last night.
Well thankyou City for making my lads first night as a seasoncard holder a memorable one and a massive thankyou to Sheik Mansour for what he has done. Love it! Hold yer head up high fellow blues and stand tall!

Billy G, Stockport (24/08/2010 at 12:31)

I agree with your sentiments but surely you've not been keeping a lsi
I agree with your comments, but surely you've not been keeping a list! Thank you is two separate words by the way.

Removal, Swinton (24/08/2010 at 13:15)

Good Lord I think you need to get a bit more of a life. Seriously that's the saddest thing I've seen since all those empty seats last night. Joke club, soon to be even more of a laughing stock.

I saw Colin play, too far South (24/08/2010 at 15:05)

Billy G - bit picky on thank you or thankyou when you have a massive stammer !!!!

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Tom Quinn (24/08/2010 at 11:24)

At least you have the history and tradition at Madrid Jose and are simply not some foreign guys play thing. Wait till he releases he bought the wrong Manchester club, then you will be in trouble.

DOGS ARE NOT PEOPLE, MANCHESTER (24/08/2010 at 11:41)

jealous bitter bigot go away into your hole you foul tramp

Jumpers for goalposts, Down the park (24/08/2010 at 11:49)

Still got those blinkers on have you rags?

"Throw those curtains wide, One day like this a year will see me right"

CTID

George D, Manchester (24/08/2010 at 12:19)

I think they were once a Facsist dictator's play thing. Get back to your own site jerk.

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Never Boo a Blue and FFS Stay Till the End, Sale (24/08/2010 at 11:40)

I saw Colin, you not sure who I support, you sure?

Tom Quinn, your club are some foreign guys play thing, where do you think agent Malc is from, Urmston?

Briz (24/08/2010 at 14:16)

UsaRMSTON maybe

I saw Colin play, too far South (24/08/2010 at 15:13)

I don't even think you're English now. Are you a Gypsy from Sale ? No City fan uses 'Ciddy'

Dave Kinkladze, Worsley (24/08/2010 at 11:47)

Methinks this sudden admiration of City by the special one might be him hankering for the managers job.

What price Mourinho steering City to a Champions League victory - at Old Trafford - at some point in the next ten years??

Blue is a Manc thing, manchester (24/08/2010 at 18:22)

WE have the special one.
And he ain't managing Real Madrid, and IF Mourinho did lead us to a champions league it will, yet again, be with Roberto's team!! They say history repeats itself. I think he has just woke up and smelt the coffee and is vying for a job as he realises that the Swamp is just that.

CTID and beyond

Billy Meredith's toothpick, leafy Cheadle (24/08/2010 at 11:51)

If we had a pound for every jealous glance or comment...we could donate the money to a deserving cause or charity case like Stretford Rangers. You'll have to excuse me I'm off now to buy a cat and practise my smug grin and evil laugh. You need all three for world domination!

toldyouso, salford (24/08/2010 at 12:14)

and a swivel chair and a monocle,

Jestem Niebieski (25/08/2010 at 05:16)

Well we all know who Mini Me is - take a bow David Moyes.

Schrodinger's cat, in a box (24/08/2010 at 12:09)

Nice to see Jose being a realist and telling it like it is. Even when he suggests 'no history' it doesn't sound as bad from him rather than the bitterness we hear from every commentator, washed up ex-pro and no-nothing nomark. I notice that baconface was there last night, he will soon have to revise his kamikaze remarks as I saw nothing kamikaze in our performance. Instead, I saw a quiet power and a resolute purposefulness where every player knew and did exactly what was expected of him. We are going to be frightening when we 'gel' (another word that the media use against us that they will soon be revising).

toffeecake, Leeds (24/08/2010 at 12:11)

It is true one win swallow does not make a summer, but also true that it takes one small step to start the longest journey. I feel really positive ,not just about the win but, the clinical way we went about it, coupled with a very good all round performance.
We have all seen City flatter to deceive, I get the feeling this time it is different
Loving it

George D, Manchester (24/08/2010 at 12:16)

M16, Manchester (24/08/2010 at 11:13)

Typical Guardian anti-City nonsense.

ray class of '68 and before, Bristol Area (24/08/2010 at 12:25)

st helens blue(exiled) & Other's

I think we can now begin to compile a list of those who are making positive comment about us, that'll make a change.

However, not sure if I necessarily want our club to have positive comments associated with cerain character types.....the best example being a certain summariser on BBC 5Live on last night's game - None other than Robbie Savage!

He was waxing lyrical and reckoned we performed brilliantly last night and was very impressed with Roberto and his acquisition of new young talented, committed (I think he meant hard!!) players to meld with last year's squad.

More positive comments coming from Henry Winter (Daily Telegraph) who has already nicknamed Ya Ya as 'The Wardrobe' not only due to his build but also as he rated him as 'a top drawer player!'

It's going to be fun watching both the hangers on and the drifters from the media flowing and ebbing with our various results!

For myself, In the words of King Kev..I'm loving' it!

TTFN

MR GLUM, CRUMPSALL, Dumplands (24/08/2010 at 13:59)

When I here Collymore praising City, that's when I know the media will be coming round to us. A few days ago, he described Ya Ya as "A big lump". If anyone can think of a more derogatory description of a top class international footballer from one of the world's most famous clubs, I'd like to hear it.

SwampDonkey, London (24/08/2010 at 18:19)

Bit confused by the comments attributed to Henry Winter. On The Sunday Supplement on Sky Sports this weekend he claimed that he really didn't understand why City had bought Yaya Toure. Not sure what game he's playing. To be fair though he did defend City admirably in the face of some knuckle-scraping comments from the other journos present.

adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (25/08/2010 at 17:16)

Ray, I suppose if Ya Ya is the " Wardrobe", Peter Crouch must be the " Tallboy". Micah Richards could be the " Dresser", Ashley Cole or John Terry could be the " Bed". Jordan could be the " Overnight Bag" and Anelka must be the Vanity Case.

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